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divided. Prime Minister Adamec was advocating further dialogue but other hard line forces within the Czech leadership were opposed.

ONFIDEN

Lebanon

Previous Reference: C(89) 18.3

of the assassination.

THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY said that the assassination of the Lebanese President, Mr Rene Moawad, had alt a major blow to the peace process, which was already

gile. It was still unclear which group had been responsible

There were allegations that it was cared out by forces associated with the Maronite leader, General Aoun, but Hizbollah, who were strongly opposed to the peace process, also had an obvious motive. A message of sympathy had been sent, and the Arab League Committee of Three Heads of State should be encouraged to resume the search for

peace.

THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY, continuing, said that he had recently reviewed British policy on hostages and was

satisfied that

was correct. He had talked to the families of Mr Terry Waite 2 Mr John McCarthy. The families had expressed their support for itain's present policy. Every lead had to be followed up which ght result in release of the hostages but there could be no question of paying ransom or carrying out dramatic physical intervention.

IDEN

1 Salvador

THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY noted that inter- factional fighting in El Salvador was continuing. Despite press reports of the presence of Britis personnel among United States advisers found there, there werritish Military advisers in El Salvador. The United Kingdom Government was only represented by a Chargé d'Affaires with one other member of staff.

rime Minister's isit to Camp avid, 23/25 ovember

THE PRIME MINISTER said that her forthcoming discussions with the United States President, Mr George Bush Camp David would be timely. President Bush was adopting a prudent and cautious approach to the situation in Eastern Europe and emphasising the need for orderly change. This approach was right, and was in the interests of Britain and the West. It meant that America's allies were not likely to be caught off their guard by sudden United States initiatives. Western policy took account of the Helsinki agreement, which referred to both European borders and human rights. The signatories to the Helsinki Final Act committed themselves not to violate the borders of other

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