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Writing Peace: The National Archives of the UK (TNA)

Telegram from David Blatherwick Regarding John Bruton's Visit to London

Monday, 06 January 1992

i24061

Conveys John Bruton's proposal to meet John Major during his visit to London between the 27 and 28 January 1992. Includes an annotated note to the Prime Minister at the bottom of the page. Highlighted.

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RESTRICTED
FM DUBLIN
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 008
OF 061730Z JANUARY 92
AND TO IMMEDIATE NIO(L), NIO(B)

CORRECTED VERSION - LAST SENTENCE OF PARAGRAPH 4 TRANSFERRED TO END OF PAPAGRAPH 5

VISIT TO LONDON BY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

SUMMARY
1. PROPOSAL TO OFFER SPONSERED VISIT TO LEADER OF THE MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY.

DETAIL
2. JOHN BRUTON, THE LEADER OF THE FINE GAEL HAS WRITTEN TO ME (COPY BY FAX TO RID) TO SAY THAT HE PLANS TO VISIT LONDON ON 27-28 JANUARY PRIMARILY TO ATTEND A FEDERATION OF IRISH CLUBS DINNER (ON 27 JANUARY). HE SEEKS HELP IN ARRANGING A COURTESY CALL ON THE PRIME MINISTER, ACCORDING TO HIS LETTER TO DISCUSS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY AND THE EUROPEAN PEOPLES PARTY: MEETING WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND TO DISCUSS THE CURRENT STATE OF PLAY ON POLITICAL TALKS: AND MEETINGS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LABOUR PARTY, LIBERAL DEMOCRATS, UUP AND SDLP.

3. IF THE PRIME MINISTER'S OTHER ENGAGEMENTS PERMIT, I HOPE THAT HE WILL AGREE TO SEE BRUTON. HE DECLINED TO SEE HIM IN DUBLIN ON 4 DECEMBER ON THE GROUNDS OF LACK OF TIME, BUT WROTE TO SAY THAT HE HOPED TO MEET HIM IN LONDON BEFORE LONG. PARTY POLITICAL MATTERS APART, EVEN A BRIEF CALL WOULD ENABLE THE PRIME MINISTER TO EXPLAIN THE BRITISH APPROACH ON EC MATTERS TO BRUTON, WHO IS AN OUT AND OUT FEDERALIST.

4. I HOPE THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND CAN ALSO FIND TIME TO SEE BRUTON BECAUSE OF THE INFLUENCE OF HIS PARTY ON PUBLIC OPINION IN THE REPUBLIC.

5. THE MOST CONVENIENT WAY TO HANDLE THE VISIT MIGHT BE TO OFFER BRUTON A SPONSORED VISIT. IF YOU AGREE, I WILL ASK HIM WHETHER HE WOULD ACCEPT A SPONSORED VISIT (WHATEVER CATEGORY). GRATEFUL FOR A RESPONSE BY COP ON 7 JANUARY. (COI PROPOSAL FORMS WOULD FOLLOW BY BAG)

BLATHERWICK

YYYY

DISTRIBUTION 158

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