New Year Opening 2001
Release of Extended Closure Documents
PRO reference Date
Description
Colonial Office
CO 78/257/16
1950
Statue of the Falkland Islands: declaration of
loyalty
CO 78/257/17
1950
Russian claims in the Antarctic
CO 78/261/2
1950
Status of the Falkland Islands dependencies:
Argentine and Chilean activities
CO 78/6316
1949 1950
Hong Kong defence: policy in a war with Russia
Ministry of Defence
DEFE 7/599
1948 1950
Hong Kong: Chinese request for jurisdiction of
Walled City of Kowloon
Dominions Office
DO 35/3980
1949 1950
Republic of Ireland: political and constitutional
relations
Director of Public Prosecutions
DPP 1/81
1925
Casepapers, O'LEARY, JJ and McGOUCH, C.
Offence: Official Secrets Act
Medical Research Council
1949 1950
Research Committee on the Medical and
Biological Application of Nuclear Physics,
protection sub-committee: minutes of meetings;
panel on monkey experiments
FO 371/81153
1950
Conversation with Eva Peron at luncheon on the
liner 'Eva Peron'.
FO 371/81237
1950
Health of Eva Peron
FD 1/495
Foreign Office
FO 600/38
1946 1950
Case of war-bride Mrs Bridget Waters, convicted
of manslaughter of her husband
FO 936/532
1948 1950
Compensation for dependents of victims of
Berlin Air Crash, 5 April 1948
FO 936/591
1948 1950
Control Office for Germany and Austria and
Foreign Office: Blacklisting of former employees
of Control Commission for Germany whose
return to Germany is undesirable
FO 1006/551
1947 1950
Control Commission for Germany (British
element): Schleswig-Holstein Region: War
criminals and wanted persons
1925
Aliens: Marriages of convenience: complicity of
aliens and others; reports of connection with
murder of Le Chevalier in June 1924
HO 45/25433
1925
Report of the Departmental Committee on
Sexual Offences against Young Persons
(CMD.2561.1925); notes of proceedings of and
evidence submitted to the Committee
HO 45/25510
1942 1950
War: legislation in wartime: continuation of
defence regulations after the end of the war;
question of ending defence regulations
HO 45/25538
1949 1950
Disturbances: London electricity worker's strike
of Dec 1949; suggestions to safeguard essential
services and nationalised industries
1949 1950
Disturbances: 'Sword in the Desert', film of the
conflict in Palestine as seen from the Jewish
point of view: disturbances during performances
in cinemas in the UK caused by members and
supporters of the Union Movement
HO 45/25605
1942
Treason: DRONKERS, Johannes Marinus;
convicted at Central Criminal Court on 17
November 1942 of treachery and sentenced to
death
HO 205/370
1948 1950
Deep shelters, caves and Tunnels: provision for
future wars
HO 205/371
1948 1950
Deep shelters: provision for future wars
HO 205/372
1950
Shelter provision for future wars: Garthwood
mine, Glamorgan
HO 205/373
1948 1950
Shelter provision for future wars: supply of
information to foreign governments
HO 205/374
1939 1950
War Book: future defence plans
HO 294/249
1939 -
Czechoslovak Refugee Trust: Kafka
Home Office
HO 45/23584
HO 45/25596
1950
Board of Inland Revenue
IR 40/9106
1944 1950
Trading with enemy. Payment of tax arrears by
the custodians of enemy property
IR 40/9529
1946 1950
Rate of exchange of francs during occupation of
France
IR 59/451
1914 1935
Board of Stamps: Selected Death Duty
Accounts. Brooke, Rupert Chawner
IR 81/139
1923 1925
Government of Ireland Act 1920: procedure for
conduct of criminal prosecutions, Northern
Ireland
Metropolitan Police
MEPO 2/8737
1950
Public meetings: use of a noisy instrument
(loudspeaker) for the purpose of obtaining
money
MEPO 3/403
1925
Importuning male persons; magisterial comment
of the correct wording of the charge
MEPO 3/3149
1949 1950
Fire-raising in Jersey 1947-1948
MEPO 6/37
1925
Habitual Criminals Registers and Miscellaneous
Papers
Prison Commission and Home Office
PCOM 9/1486
1949 - 50
Medical reports on prisoners charged with
capital offences
Prime Minister's Office
1949 1950
Report of Committee on Intermediaries
Appointment of Sir Edwin Herbert's Committee
to enquire into activities of contact men.
T 220/1361
1956 1960
Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey: general
correspondence
T 221/809
1939 1950
English prisons and borstals: ex-gratia payments
for injuries received
T 225/705
1948 1950
Air Ministry: development of airfields for US Air
Force: general policy
PREM 8/1237
Treasury
War Office
WO 195/11128 1950
Chemical Defence Advisory Board: strategic and
tactical assessment
WO 216/711
1950
Defence of the Middle East: note from Rt. Hon. L
S Amery
WO 216/716
1950
Defence of the Middle East: meeting between
Rt. Hon. L S Amery and CIGS
Eva Peron
Document Reference: FO 371/81153
This document contains a first hand account by Sir John Balfour, the British
Ambassador in Buenos Aires, of a meeting with Eva Peron, whom he was
seated next to during a luncheon on board the ship 'Eva Peron' on its maiden
voyage in 1950.
In a letter to Ernest Bevin, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Sir John
writes a detailed account of what transpired during their meeting and gives his
own, rather less flattering opinion of her character.
New Year Releases 2001
That Was 1970
Introduction:
It is argued that 1970 saw the abrupt end of the 1960s, culturally,
economically and socially. The upbeat era of the mini skirt and hippies gave
way quickly to the last stages of the post-war boom. Topping 615,000,
unemployment reached its highest since 1940. Many of the events of 1970
were to be characteristic of the 1970s as a whole. Britain experienced
teachers' strikes in January and February, a series of newspaper strikes,
closures of Heathrow airport because of industrial action and violent clashes
on other picket lines. The national strike by dockers led to the declaration of a
state of emergency in July.
June brought the general election, the first in which 18 year olds could vote.
The turn out, which was the lowest since 1935, contributed to the surprise
defeat for Harold Wilson who had been in office since 1964. His government
had struggled against backbench rebellions on policies over Cambodia and
defence in the first part of the year. The Conservative leader, Edward Heath,
came to power with the aim of pursuing the so-called Selsdon Programme,
outlined in January. This aimed to cut taxes, tighten immigration controls,
reform trade union legislation and reduce governmental intervention in
industry: 'lame duck' companies would be allowed to fail. As a result the
government's Industrial Reorganization Corporation was scrapped later that
year.
General Charles De Gaulle had resigned as French President the previous
year and died in November 1970. His departure from the political scene
removed the last obstacle to Britain's entry into the European Economic
Community (EEC). Almost immediately Britain made its third application to
join. Negotiations which continued throughout 1970 led to Britain becoming a
full EEC member in 1973.
Northern Ireland experienced a year of rioting with police and soldiers using
CS gas and rubber bullets against stones and petrol bombs. Hundreds of
civilians, police and servicemen were injured as unrest continued. A state of
emergency was declared in the province in December as the result of
industrial action by power station workers.
Internationally, the war in Vietnam dragged on. Though US President Richard
Nixon, elected the previous year, aimed to reduce US involvement, bombing
of North Vietnam had continued and in May 1970 US troops invaded the
neighbouring state of Cambodia. This led to further demonstrations, often
violent, against the war across the USA. In Nigeria the war ended in January
with the collapse of the Biafran forces. Britain announced £5 million aid
package to help the country recover. Terrorism continued to plague the
world's airlines. In September Palestinian terrorists tried to seize four aircraft.
Though only partially successful they captured 300 hostages and blew up a
British VC 10. This terrorist activity in Jordan contributed to the outbreak of
civil war and intervention by the Syrians before King Hussein could regain
control.
Natural disasters also made the headlines. A freak tornado killed 35 people
on islands off Venice. East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, saw its worst cyclone
so far in the 20th century bringing widespread destruction to the country.
Flooding hit Morocco, and Romania suffered its worst flooding for 130 years.
Earthquakes struck western India, western Turkey, and Kirghizia in the USSR.
The worst damage was caused by the Peruvian earthquake of May which led
to 50,000 deaths and 800,000 homeless. Blizzards across Britain in March cut
power supplies to many and as a result 700 Kent miners were trapped
underground over night.
In sport, England, the defending World Cup holder, was knocked out of the
competition and Brazil went on to win its third victory in the tournament.
Protests against the apartheid regime in South Africa grew and began to
impact on sport. South Africa was banned from the Davis Cup tennis
tournament and in May, under pressure from countries such as Kenya, the
England cricket team cancelled its tour of South Africa.
In April NASA wrestled with securing the safe return of the Apollo 13 mission
astronauts after problems with their spacecraft had brought the possibility that
all three would die. In contrast the Soviet space programme pushed ahead
with three successful Soyuz flights, the landing of the unmanned Luna 17 on
the Moon and the launching of Venus 7 to explore Venus.
Other stories which made the news included the return of the hulk of
Isambard Kingdom Brunel's ship 'Great Britain' from the Falkland Islands for
restoration in Bristol. The Boeing 747, the largest airliner so far, touched down
for the first time in Britain. In July two CS gas cannisters were let off in the
House of Commons. The Queen made a tour of Australasia and Britain had
visits from US President Nixon, Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko and
West German Chancellor Willy Brandt.
The following stories which were featured on the BBC's UK Confidential
programme are the highlights of 1970. There are plenty more stories within
the documents released this year.
New Year Releases 2001
Record Featured on UK Confidential
The Public Records of 1970
The last days of the Wilson government
Many documents released this year give insights into how the Wilson
government was run.
Heath Comes to Power
Documents highlighting the issues surrounding Heath's new government
including an up and coming cabinet minister - the young Margaret Thatcher.
Anglo American Relations
Documents highlighting the difference in tone between the Wilson-Nixon and
Heath-Nixon relationship.
Britain negotiates to enter the EEC
Heath's priority on his arrival in office in 1970 was to take Britain into the EEC
before the next election.
South Africa and Sport
The issue of South Africa under the apartheid regime. Documents cover the
question of arms sales and sports tours by whites-only South African teams.
Prince Charles and Salmon Fishing
In July 1969 the Prince of Wales became involved in environmental politics,
defending the fate of the over-fished Atlantic salmon.
Hijack Story
September 1970 saw four airliners hijacked by the PLFP - the Popular Front
for the Liberation of Palestine. This forced Britain into an international crisis in
what became known as Black September.
Imelda Marcos vists London
The imminent visit of Imelda Marcos to England, to deliver her young son to
school, threw the Foreign Office into rather a panic.
Mini Skirts in Malawi
A diplomatic file on mini skirts: subversive elements in the European
community in Malawi were exhibiting western arrogance in the face of
traditional culture.
The Sun
In 1969 the ailing Sun newspaper - in its broadsheet form - was desperately in
need of a buyer.
New Year Releases 2001
Record Featured on UK Confidential
The Last Days of the Wilson Government
Introduction
Document Reference: PREM 13/3086 letter to Mr Hewitt, from D.
Williams, 22nd October 1964
Many of the papers released this year give insights into how the Wilson
government was run. The "white heat" of Wilson's "technological revolution"
was very much in evidence. Much debate focused around the problems of
transport and mobility in Whitehall. The PM was being held up in traffic,
unable to communicate with his advisors and cabinet. In 1964, a solution was
suggested - installing a radio telephone which would allow him a secure line
while on the move. However, would this new gadget be practical? No one
seemed to know just how big it would have to be.
Document Reference: PREM 13/3347 to Mr C. Gilbraith - Civil Service
Department
Another transport issue was worrying the government British Rail had decided
to withdraw its arrangement to allow ministers free first-class rail travel.
Should the government pay for a full first class compartment? Some
ministers, or travelling judges, might need complete privacy in which to look at
their confidential documents, or remain free from outside interference.
However, could they justify this expense? It turned out that some ministers
had never even heard that they were entitled to this perk. Wilson's advisors
decided to keep them in the dark.
Document Reference: PREM 13/3467 Thicknesse and Hull, 16th
November 1966
Another set of files suggests that Wilson's government may have been
abusing the technology at their disposal. In 1966, a letter was received from a
firm of solicitors, complaining that their private telephone conversations were
being tapped.
Document Reference: CAB 128/46
Top Secret Cabinet Annex 12th Feb 1970(all)
Preserving his premiership led Wilson to urge his cabinet to postpone a
necessary clampdown on wage inflation. In a Top Secret Annex to the
Cabinet Minutes - a piece of paper so sensitive that it could not be circulated
to cabinet ministers - he laid before his cabinet the electoral arguments for
deferring the tough economic measures that the economy appeared to need.
The record of the discussion shows that Roy Jenkins did oppose him.
Document Reference: PREM 13/3173 Private and Confidential to PM,
11th May 1970
Wilson also looked for a more visible feel-good factor. Football seemed the
obvious answer - the England team were still riding high after the famous
1966 victory. A double seemed to be on the cards. One document shows that
Wilson was clearly considering the World Cup as a factor when setting the
date for the election.
Document Reference: PREM 13/3497 28TH MAY 1970 PJS MOON TO
FCO
However, at the last minute, disaster struck. Bobby Moore, captain and
golden boy of the England team, was arrested in Bogota, accused by a
shopkeeper of stealing a gold bracelet. Wilson did his best to help out Moore.
In the end, Bobby Moore was released, and went on to play his part in the
World Cup but England lost to West Germany in the quarter-final. On June
18th, Harold Wilson lost the Election.
New Year Releases 2001
Heath comes to power
Document Reference: PREM 15/41
Economic Prospects and Strategy Meeting July 8th 1970
Heath also believed that curbing excessive wage demands by standing firm
on strikes would help bring inflation under control - and he looked for
opportunities to deliver this message.
Document Reference: CAB 128/47 - 6th Cabinet Conclusions 20th July
When the dockers went on strike for a pay rise, Heath refused to capitulate. A
state of emergency was declared and the army were put on standby to unload
cargoes of essential or perishable goods if the dockers refused to do so
themselves. But the Cabinet records show that when it came to sending in the
troops to save rotting bananas, the government dithered.
Document Reference: PREM 15/92
The Communist Party of GB and the National Dock Strike
Edward Heath was kept well informed about activities within the dockers'
union. Part of this document is retained in the department. The dock strike
ended in compromise. But more strikes were to come, and the later years of
the Heath administration were famous for the consequences of a power strike
that led to the three day week and saw the government advise power saving
measures such as sharing baths and brushing one's teeth in the dark
.
Document Reference: PREM 15/129
Letter from Margaret Thatcher 23rd September 1970
An up and coming Minister in Heath's new cabinet was the young Margaret
Thatcher, who had her own distinctive style of handling government business.
She proposed an amendment to protocol of sending Permanent Secretaries,
the highest ranking Whitehall officials, to meet foreign visitors at Heathrow.
Note her handwritten addition about preferring to have time to tidy up after a
flight.
This is a deplorable waste of time. Speaking for myself I should prefer to get
to my hotel to have time to tidy up before greeting my hosts.
Document Reference: T 227/3146
300/16/016 B Secret 11th August 1970 Thatcher to M Macmillan CST
Another issue to involve Margaret Thatcher was one which was later to make
her famous throughout Britain's school playgrounds. With tax and spending
cuts a stated priority for the Heath government, school milk was to be
scrapped. A heated correspondence between her and the Chief Secretary to
the Treasury reveals, however, that she used the issue to try to secure
additional funds for school buildings.
New Year Releases 2001
Anglo-American Relations
Document Reference: PREM 13/3173
T100/70 From President to Prime Minister, 23rd May 1970
One interesting revelation in the documents this year is the difference in tone
between the Wilson-Nixon and Heath-Nixon relationship.
Document Reference: PREM 13/3173
Transcript of a conversation b/w the PM & President, 19th June 1970
Nixon comforted Wilson after the election loss, but in a rather strained
exchange
Document Reference: PREM 15/156
Personal - White House, 18th November 1970
While the President and Wilson seemed to have little personal rapport, Nixon
seemed to have genuine admiration for Heath's policies.
Document Reference: CAB 164/412
Record of the PM's Meeting with President Nixon 18th December 1970.
Another document to throw light on Nixon's attitudes is his comment in his
meeting with Heath (during which they also discussed South Africa) on
Cambodia.
New Year Releases 2001
Britain's Negotiations to Enter the EEC
Document Reference: PREM 15/62
The EEC Negotiations - Strategic Review 23rd October 1970
Heath's priority on his arrival in office in 1970 was to take Britain into the EEC
before the next election. The need for speed was communicated to Whitehall.
Document Reference: CAB 164/771
Meeting 9th November 1970: 1700 M. Jobert & G. Rippon
Enthusiasm for the project is quite clear in the documents of the time.
Document Reference: FCO 30/770
Christopher Soames to Douglas-Home 22nd June 1970
However, Britain knew that her reputation in Europe so far was not that as
over-enthusiastic applicant. Yet indeed it was perhaps in the governments
interest not to appear over-eager to a sceptical public.
Document Reference: PREM 15/62
Memo to Robert Armstrong- Top Secret -REF: YO410
The Heath government emphasised in its statements the importance of
obtaining a fair deal for Britain. The representatives from Britain and the other
applicant countries negotiated with the EEC in Brussels over internal tariffs
and import duties for Commonwealth products, including lamb, butter and
sugar, as well as Britain's contribution to the costs of the Common Agricultural
Policy (CAP). A hand-written memo shows that Britain used a mole in the
German government to help them understand other Governments' negotiating
positions on these points.
Document Reference: PREM 15/62
Note to Prime Minister 2nd July 1970
The public presentation of the negotiations emphasised the idea of getting
involved in the European trading club. However, the documents show that
there was also an extensive discussion of the aspects of the European
question that still vex British politics today. Heath was alerted by his officials
at an early stage of the important of dealing with issues of sovereignty,
monetary union and political harmonisation.
Document Reference: FCO 30/789
Foreign Office - 9th November 1970
A plan for monetary union commissioned by Brussels raised many profound
questions about sovereignty, both in Europe and at home. The plan
envisaged monetary union in ten years. British officials who studied it noted
the sensitivity of the issues it raised.
Document Reference: CAB 164/771
Giscard and Rippon - 24th November 1970
Treasury officials considering how to brief British ministers on the Werner
Plan urged that unless directly asked about the plan, Britain should not even
discuss it. Britain's chief negotiator Geoffrey Rippon (Chancellor of the Duchy
of Lancaster) appeared to be aware of the political risks and the hostility
which could be raised by the plan.
Document Reference: CAB 164/771 Conversation between Rippon and
Werner 27th October 1970
In another meeting, Geoffrey Rippon articulated the gradualist approach to
European harmonisation and implied that the persuasion of the British public
would have to take time.
New Year Releases 2001
Race, Sport and South Africa
Introduction:
In 1970 the issue of South Africa under the apartheid regime dogged both the
Wilson and Heath governments. In particular, the question of arms sales to
South Africa threatened a meltdown in the British Commonwealth. Protests
against prejudice were becoming more of common in Britain, and in particular,
demonstrations focused around sports tours by whites-only South African
teams.
Document Reference: CAB 128/45
19th Cabinet Conclusions
Scenes of riots on pitches were embarrassing for any government, and the
documents show that the Labour Cabinet was attempting to halt the 'Stop The
70 Tour campaign', which was led by the then radical Liberal, Peter Hain.
Hain and his protests caused genuine consternation for the government. The
Cabinet records show that the Cabinet planned its response with a view to
prosecuting him for conspiracy.
The 1970 South African cricket tour was abandoned when it became clear
that black Commonwealth countries would boycott the upcoming Edinburgh
Commonwealth games.
Document Reference: CAB 128/47
6th Cabinet Conclusions - 20th July 1970
During Edward Heath's government a new apartheid issue arose when the
government announced that it was planning to resume arms sales to South
Africa. As soon as the new government came to power in June, South Africa's
Foreign Minister, Dr Muller, arranged a meeting at the Foreign Office.
Document Reference: FCO 45/663
Record of a Conversation between the Foreign and Commonwealth Sec
and Dr Muller. F&CO - 1st July 1970
The Heath government maintained that its obligations to South Africa under
the Simonstown Agreement of 1955 meant that it had to supply arms for
defence of the Indian Ocean and the route around the Southern Cape. It was
made clear that Britain would only sell weapons for defensive use at sea - not
for internal use against black South Africans. The documents show that Dr
Muller sought to reassure the British on this point.
Document Reference: FCO 45/663 Memo by Foreign Secretary to G.
Rippon - 6th July 1970
FCO 45/667 Memo on implications for British interests from Douglas
Home to the Cabinet Defence and Overseas Policy Committee 11th
September 1970
Document Reference: FCO 45/737 Record of Conversation at Dinner
17th October 1970
Amid vocal protests from the leaders of the Black African states in the
Commonwealth, Heath attempted to placate the Commonwealth. This did not
work on Kenneth Kaunda, President of Zambia, who flew to Britain and came
to No 10 for dinner, only to have his suspicions increased.
Document Reference: FCO 45/549 Secretary of State; Notes for
Supplementaries - 20th July 1970
The government was then faced with the embarrassment of dealing with
Kaunda's outburst. The Foreign Office advised playing it down as much as
possible.
Document Reference: CAB 164/412
Record of the PM's Meeting with Pres. Nixon - 18th December 1970
When Heath met President Richard Nixon at the end of the year, the issue of
the South African arms and the emotions they had caused came up in
discussion. The record of the conversation also reveals attitudes on the topic
of race which are perhaps characteristic of the period, and possibly go some
way to explaining why Britain found this issue so hard to deal with.
Document Reference: PREM 15/88
Letter from P L Gregson - 16th September 1970
The government went ahead with the arms deal, but only supplied seven
helicopters. African countries' threats to quit the Commonwealth were not
carried out. The final document shows that race was an ever present issue in
1970, particularly when it came to employment.
New Document Releases
Prince Charles and Salmon Fishing
Document Reference: PREM 13/3450
Letter from PM, 4th August 1969
In July 1969 the Prince of Wales became involved in environmental politics.
The press picked up on a speech he had made at the London Welsh
Association in which he staunchly defended the fate of the Atlantic salmon,
over-fished and suffering from disease. The Prime Minister felt he ought to
know more, and was given a three-page report. Wilson forwarded this to
Prince Charles, reassuring him that the government was now leaping into
action.
Letter from Balmoral, 12th Sept 1969
Prince Charles responded with his thanks, but warned Wilson that he
would not let the subject drop.
The Prime Minister was briefed further his advisors letting him know the pros
and cons of a partial ban on Atlantic salmon fishing. By May 1970, action had
already been taken. The North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission
unanimously agreed to impose two closed areas for fishing and a closed
season from July to May outside national fishery limits. The Prince of Wales
was delighted that action had been taken so swiftly.
Letter from Buckingham Palace, 28th May 1970
An issue which might have taken years to resolve, appears to have been
accelerated by the personal intervention of the Prince of Wales.
New Document Releases
Hijack Story
Introduction:
On 6th September 1970, four airliners were hijacked by the PLFP - the
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Two of the planes were taken to
Dawson's Field, a former RAF airstrip in the middle of the Jordanian desert; a
third was blown up in Cairo because it was too large to land on the Dawson's
Field runway.
The fourth of the hijacks was aborted when Leila Khaled, the commando in
charge of the operation, was overpowered by El Al security guards and the
plane was diverted to the nearest airport - Heathrow. Leila was taken into
British custody at Ealing police station. Her presence forced Britain into a
major international crisis that month which was later was to become known as
Black September.
Document Reference: CAB 128/47
(Cabinet Conclusions) CM (70) 13th Conclusions, 9th September 1970
As the first image shows, the Cabinet Conclusions of the 9th September,
available in file CAB 128/47 sum up the dilemma faced by the British
government.
Document Reference: CAB 164/795
Sir Burke Trend - The 72 Hour Ultimatum 7th September 1970
Three days later, yet another plane was hijacked - this time a British VC10.
The Palestinians wanted to pressure Britain into releasing Leila Khaled. By
this time the guerrillas had over 300 hostages, 65 of them British citizens.
Although Britain signed the 1963 Tokyo International Convention on Hijacking,
which specifically stated that governments should not negotiate with hijackers,
the files show that the Heath government never ruled out this option.
Document Reference: PREM 15/202
Telex Conference with Amman 12th September 1970
The ultimatum was extended. However, rescuing the hostages was not
feasible, and Britain felt it had little choice but to negotiate with the hijackers,
through both official and its own secret channels.
The negotiations had some initial success when six days into the crisis, some
of the hostages - mostly the women and children - were released
unconditionally.
The hijackers were impatient to have their demands met, and with Britain
holding on firmly to Leila Khaled, the PLFP, as a warning signal, blew up the
British plane at Dawson's Field. As the following images show, the British
Ambassador reported this development to London in the first of a series of
telex exchanges that was to become ever more frantic throughout that day.
Document Reference: PREM 15/202
Telex Amman-London 13th September 1970
All this was taking place against a background of escalating violence in
Jordan. The Fedayeen or Palestinian national extremists, of whom the PLFP
hijackers were a sub-group, were in constant clashes with the Jordanian
forces of King Hussein. They claimed Hussein had done too little to help them
attack Israel. The hijack incident proved to be the spark to an already
incendiary situation, and the violence began to escalate.
Heath eventually agreed that Britain had no choice but to go public on their
intentions and the Cabinet later approved this decision. At 7pm on the 13th,
BBC World Service broadcast a government announcement in Arabic to the
effect that Britain would swap Leila Khaled for hostages.
The files show that for King Hussein, fighting the Fedayeen and humiliated by
their hijacking exploits in his own country, Britain's public offer to strike a deal
with his enemy only undermined him further.
Document Reference: CAB 128/47
Cabinet Conclusions 21st September
The King's situation deteriorated further when, on the 20th September, a
Syrian armoured division, which had been gathering near the border, crossed
into Jordan. The civil war became an international conflict, with dire
implications for King Hussein's throne.
Through its embassy in Amman, the British government received several
messages from King Hussein over the next few days, revealing his desperate
situation, asking for the unprecedented support of Israel in what had become
an inter-Arab war.
British files show that the government had calculated that on balance it would
be better to stand aside. Hussein's regime was felt to be increasingly
precarious and probably not worth prolonging. Britain declined to pass on his
request for assistance from Israel.
Document Reference: PREM 15/124
21st Sep Gov Intelligence Group, J A Thomson. Top Secret to Sir Burke
Trend
Britain was hedging its bets, waiting the outcome of the battle between King
Hussein and the newly emergent Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat. The files
contain an assessment of the prospects that would follow an Arafat victory,
suggesting that Britain was prepared to view such as outcome positively.
In the end Hussein's forces proved the stronger and the Fedayeen were short
of ammunition. The King and Arafat negotiated a ceasefire and the following
year Hussein was strong enough to drive the Palestinian Liberation
Organisation under Arafat out of Jordan altogether.
New Document Releases
Imelda Marcos' Visit to London
Document Reference: FCO 15/1291
Letter to Donald Gordon, 17th July 1970
The imminent visit of Imelda Marcos to England, to deliver her young son to
school, threw the Foreign Office into rather a panic. The British government
did not seem to be entirely looking forward to this event.
Mrs Marcos Visit, 31st September 1970
One of the sensitive issues was whether the Queen should break her holiday
to come and receive her guest, as both Nixon and the Pope were rumoured to
be doing. Would failing to do so risk Anglo-Philippine commercial relations currently rather good?
Mrs Marcos was clearly a guest to be reckoned with. Her own brother did not
seem to have too high a view of her public behaviour.
Protocol and Conference Department, 7th September 1970
An audience with the Queen was granted - but all sorts of issues of
protocol had to be investigated.
New Document Releases
Mini Skirts in Malawi
Document Reference: FCO 45/775
Confidential, Office of the Commissioner, HQ Malawi Police Ref no.
C/158/1/4
On the 2 May 1968, a serious issue in Malawi was bought to the attention of
the British High Commissioner by the Commissioner of Police. Certain
subversive elements in the European community in Malawi were exhibiting
western arrogance in the face of traditional culture. A diplomatic file on
miniskirts was started.
Zomba to FCO. Tel no 1252 14 September 1970
By 14th September 1970, Foreign Office diplomats had not managed to bring
the issue to a successful conclusion, and Hastings Banda prepared to take
the matter further.
4/01/31 Office of the President and Cabinet, 23rd October 1970
It is clear from the documents that the issue was not a trivial one and the
wearing of miniskirts was actively offensive to traditional Malawians, causing
considerable resentment.
British High Commission, Malawi, 6 November 1970
The issue was apparently also an economic one - longer skirts were more
expensive. One British couple even had to leave the country.
New Document Releases
Battle for The Sun
Document Reference: PREM 13/3410
Maxwell letter, 2nd June 1969
The ailing Sun newspaper - in its broadsheet form - was desperately in need
of a buyer. Robert Maxwell wrote to Wilson to express his interest. Worker's
welfare was to be a priority - including pensions.
Prime Minister: The Sun - 4th September 1969
But Wilson was suspicious of Maxwell's financial resources. Another possible
buyer, with rather different politics, was also in communication - Rupert
Murdoch. It seemed Wilson would rather see the paper swing to the political
right than let it go to Maxwell. The Unions, too, were inclined towards the
Murdoch proposal.