CONFIDENTIAL
170476
MDHOAN 4472
extracting the maximum subsidies possible for French farmers from the EC.
He added that, once the discussion got back to the multilateral phase, there would be a wider negotiation and concessions would be required from all countries involved.
HEAD OF THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL ORGANISATION
8. Evans put in a strong plug for the Australian candidate to head the FAO. He said that Geoff Miller was seriously good, and argued that he was better than the others in the field. The Foreign Secretary assured Evans that we were not tied to supporting a candidate from another Community country. We had an open mind and had not yet made a decision. He was impressed by Evans advocacy of Miller.
FROZEN PENSIONS
9.
Evans said he had to raise the question of the frozen pensions. Britain had no substantive arguments in defence of its position. It was all about money Pounds 100 million a year from the Australian budget plus a real sense of grievance. Negotiations had been going well at one time, but had ground to a halt after the Lilley/Blewet talks. Mr Keating was bound to raise this with the Prime Minister. The Foreign Secretary noted the Australian point. He did not think we could be very helpful. Evans commented that he had said his piece as required.
10.
The Foreign Secretary briefed Evans on Russia and Romania (where he would be visiting at the weekend). See separate telegrams for discussion of Cambodia and East Timor. Discussions on Maralinga are being recorded by minute.
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LEGAL ADVISERS
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