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In discussion it was recognised that there now seemed to be no prospect of maintaining secrecy regarding the United States contributicn There was general agreement that the formula proposed by the Chancellor
of the Exchequer provided a useful basis for an announcement.
It was
suggested, however, that in the last sentence the words "having regard
to further capital construction, the United States have now made
might be inserted, to relate the contribution to the proposed
construction of facilities on Aldabra.
....
tt
It was also generally agreed that the British Ambassador in
Washington should be instructed to inform the United States Government
that if in consequence of a disclosure of their contribution which now
appeared to be necessary because of the action which the United States
Government had taken it became necessary to make an additional contribution
to Mauritius or the Seychelles, we should expect the United States
Government to bear the cost.
Summing up the discussion, THE PRIME MINISTER said that the formula
suggested by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, subject to the addition of
some such words in the last sentence as "having regard to further capital construction", should be further discussed by officials and agreed by the
Ministers directly concerned. In discussion with the United States
authorities we should seek agreement to a simultaneous announcement by
the United States and ourselves on the lines indicated in discussion.
The timing of such an announcement, which should preferably be after the elections in Mauritius had been held, would require further consideration.
After agreement had been reached on the formula which would be used it
would be necessary for the Treasury Officer of Accounts inform the
Comptroller and Auditor General. The draft telegram to HM Ambassador
at Washington should be revised accordingly, in agreement between the
Ministers directly concerned.
The Committee
(1) Invited the Defence Secretary, in consultation with
the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Commonwealth Secretary and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, to consider in the light of the discussion, the appropriate form of a public statement regarding the United States contribution.
(2) Invited the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, in
consultation with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Commonwealth Secretary and the Defence Secretary, to revise the draft telegram to HM Ambassador at Washington on the lines agreed in discussion.
Cabinet Office, S.W.1.
25th May 1967
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