RESTRICTED
Iran
43.
He was
Mr Landale asked about prospects for a solution. Sir J Coles saw no likelihood of progress: deadlock with Iran. concerned about some other countries' behaviour, constantly seeking closer relations with Iran.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
UN Reform
44. Mr Blunt's letter of 17 May to Mr Patey (UND): Annex C.
Director-General of the FAO
45. Sir J Coles said that Dr Miller's candidature had been raised with him by Senator Evans. He had also seen Dr Miller privately on
10 May.
Peacekeeping
46.
Mr Boreham (DFAT) said that Australia strongly supported UNPKOS, recognised the increased demand and tried to respond accordingly. Australia was sympathetic to attempts to avoid open-ended commitments: but this was not always easy to achieve.
47. Cyprus: Australia supported assessed contributions. The Australian commitment would be rolled over and later reviewed with an eye on whether assessed contributions had been agreed and the terms of any new structure: Australia would need an assurance that their police would not be expected to take on non-policing tasks. Sir J Coles welcomed the continuing Australian contribution. Maintaining the peacekeeping force while negotiations continued was important.
48. Sir J Coles welcomed the Australian contribution at the Wiston House conference and at the March Canberra seminar.
G7 Issues
49. Ms Drake-Brockman (DFAT) said that the G7 working group had made some progress on non-proliferation issues. Australia wanted to avoid duplication of work. The British response to the Australian paper was encouraging. But Australia had difficulty following G7 consideration of a number of issues, particularly developmental rather than the hard politics. Sir J Coles undertook to try to correct this. He foresaw no major shift on the Northern Territories. Yeltsin's cancelled trip had caused considerable damage to Russia-Japan relations. He had the impression that many were wary of a G3 and preferred G7 plus 1.
RESTRICTED
- 11
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.