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the same time we would be ready to respond to any indication that the new régime in Argentina was disposed to negotiate a settlement. (There has been none so far, but the new men need cur goodwill and may become less stubborn if they survive their internal difficulties.)

7. It is true that such a policy may cause us difficulties in Parliament, but it presents the only chance of holding our position in the Antarctic without a disproportionate diversion of effort from more important objectives. It is also a policy which we can sell to the Americans and that is an important point, With Russia now coming into the picture, it is time for us to get together with the Americans and try to draw them out and concert future plans. The Australian and New Zealand Govern- ments would also welcome co-operation between the Commonwealth and the United States in Antarctica,

8. Meanwhile I have arranged as in past years for the renewal of the Tripartite Naval Declarations with Argentina and Chile which preserve the naval status quo in the Antarctic and give us local superiority over Argentina.

9.

I propose therefore

(a)

that we should proceed on the lines described

in paragraph 6;

(b)

that we should inform the United States Govern-

ment of our intentions, seek their

co-operation and try to obtain a better understanding from them of our own Antarctic policy;

(c) that we should do this in close accord with

Australia and New Zealand,

Foreign Office, S.W.1.

18th November, 1955.

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H. M.

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