CAB128-94_A1b — Page 157

CONFIDENTIAL

NFIDENT

Page 157

currently visiting London where he would have discussions with the Prime Minister, with the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary, the Secretary of State for Defence and the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth office. There was less certainty that Mr Pozsgay would win the Presidential election since there were now other strong candidates in the race. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office would continue to play close

attention to the situation, which was changing rapidly.

a brief discussion, it was noted that a delegation of Soviet ws had told the Prime Minister during the Conservative Party ference that one of the side effects of increased glasnost in the Soviet Union had been a more open revival of anti- Semitism. Although there had been improvements in the degree of freedom of action and religion permitted to Soviet Jews, many more were now seeking to emigrate from the Soviet Union.

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in

Kuala Lumpur

18-24 October 1989

THE PRIME MINI discussion at the

1

y

es

said that there had been a wide-ranging monwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in Kuala Lumpur from 18-24 October on the world political scene, the United Kingdom, and on the world economic scene led the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Mr Manley, and the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr Mulroney. During the debate on the world economic scene a number of third world Commonwealth countries adpressed for the revival of the North/South dialogue. She made clear that Britain was

had firmly opposed to renewal of the North/South dialogue, having in mind the experience at the Cancun Conference and afterwards. The economic problems faced behind World countries could be dealt with much more effectively existing international institutions such as the World Bank and the International

Monetary Fund. The question had been remitted to Commonwealth Finance Ministers, which was a good outcome. There had been a comprehensive discussion on the environment, on which differences of opinion had surfaced as predicted. Many Commonwealth countries wanted to establish separate International Environment Fund. She had opposed this proposal, pointing out that existing institutions such as the World Bank and the United Nations Environment Programme were capable of tackling world environmental problems efficien There was no point in setting up new and expensive bureaucrees as had happened over the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. In the end the British view a been accepted. There had been a productive discussion dngs. Britain had signed ten bilateral agreements with Commonwealth countries, which would enable governments to trace and confiscate the proceeds from drug trafficking. She here had signed the tenth agreement with Malaysia during the Conference

וח

Page 157

6

CONFIDENTIAL

TIAL

Page 157