Chapter 957 Arranging the Minister

This was the first time he had chaired a formal meeting of the Foreign Office, and it happened to be a good time for the Foreign Secretary to be out of London.

After many years, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also seen some new faces turnover, just like the original Director of Personnel of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Milton, who has retired, and it is the right time to discuss the issue of the Falkland Islands. Because at this point in time, the issue of the Falkland Islands belonging to the United Nations has been referred to the discussion.

From this point can be seen, the United Kingdom on the Falkland Islands belonging to the problem, in fact, did not attach much importance to, or would not allow this issue in the United Nations to discuss.

It is important to know that in this year, Britain sold the World War II Giant-class aircraft carriers to the Argentine Navy, so if it attaches particular importance to the question of the belonging of the Falkland Islands, how could it strengthen the navy of an enemy country?

Throwing the question of the ownership of the Falklands out of the window, the UK and Argentina actually have a pretty good relationship.

The Falklands are not without strategic value, a value that was largely realized before the opening of the Panama Canal.

The Panama Canal was officially opened in 1914, when World War I broke out. During WWI, the Royal Navy used the Falkland Islands as a base to intercept the German Navy overseas.

The current negotiations on the ownership of the Falkland Islands, the attitude of both Britain and Argentina can be interpreted as, I can talk about it and I can be patriotic too, and there is no saber-rattling at all.

The United Kingdom also did not because of the international status and military power difference, put on the face of imperialism, in general the discussion of the Falkland Islands issue, but also quite calm.

Margaret Thatcher period, Britain because the Falkland Islands suddenly want to go to war, is also beyond the Argentine military government expected. This is because for decades since World War II, the UK had put up a front that it could talk peacefully.

“This is a time for reconciliation, let us look to the future and seek common ground.” Alan Wilson dryly made his attitude clear in the course of the discussion, “We actually have quite a good relationship with Argentina, don’t we? Only just sold them an aircraft carrier, and the opinion of some other nations that we would go to war with Argentina over a marginalized land is nonsense.”

A brief silence fell over the room, followed by a flurry of nods of agreement, from a wide variety of perspectives, that the top brass had a point, and that some of the reasons didn’t even occur to the casual Allen Wilson.

One of the undersecretaries, for example, argued from an offshore balancing perspective that maintaining amicable relations with Argentina would help balance the influence of Brazil in South America, a country that outweighed its neighbors in size.

It’s damned clever that Allen Wilson didn’t think of this, otherwise why do so many bureaucrats like to promote ass-kissers? It all makes sense.

“Offshore balancing is only one aspect.” Alan Wilson, with his inscrutable Changgong look, as if he’s not moving, is already deciding, and is thinking of leveling machine gun positions in the Falklands by five meters ……

Allen Wilson, who talks about peace and constructive communication, has changed his face from the previous period of his own tenure in Asia.

The Allen Wilson of that time made statements including, but not limited to, on Goa, “Goa didn’t even exist as India when it was occupied by Portugal.”

On the Dutch East Indies, “Do independent nations take it for granted that they are entitled to inherit all the land of the suzerain state? It is simply a naive I am poor and I am justified.”

At this moment, Alan Wilson, who is the permanent undersecretary of the Foreign Office, at this meeting temporarily forgot his previous insufficiently thought-out family argument, put away his imperialist face, and set the tone that he wanted a peaceful settlement of the Falkland Islands’ belonging.

But never let Argentina take it away, just put the Falkland Islands issue in the United Nations to slowly wear time. When the time comes for the conflict to erupt, it’s easy to galvanize it.

It may be that Alan Wilson’s presence will lead to an insignificant decline in Britain’s military power.

But the main conditions to inspire war still exist, as long as Argentina’s economy is poor and wants to divert the contradiction, there is the possibility of the outbreak of war.

If Argentina hesitates, it’s really not possible for him to hire a few Argentine patriots, land in the Falklands to wave the Argentine flag, and then treat the matter coldly, using the hegemony of public opinion to put the Argentine government on the fire.

So as long as the Argentine economy goes from one bankruptcy to another, there is a possibility of war breaking out in the Falklands, and Alan Wilson’s job is to give Argentina the illusion that I can while preserving British military power ……

“The Foreign Secretary will be back in a few days, so we’ll inform Lord Cassia to communicate well with the Argentines at the UN meeting.” Alan Wilson said this asking to Harold Wilson’s private secretary, “Dixon, the minister is back in a few days.”

“Farouk I is talking to the minister about the ownership of the Suez Canal.” Dixon held out the schedule for the Egyptian side and replied, “Today is supposed to be a visit to the pyramids.”

“Our attitude is still the same as before, talk about the Aswan Dam along with the management of the canal.” Alan Wilson nodded and said, “Has there been any talk about the sale of the carriers that the Navy is concerned about.”

“When it comes to that, it’s gone well, and the cabinet has been quite lenient, as long as Egypt pays for the modifications, the sale can be made to Egypt.” Dixon expressed optimism on the subject, “The minister talked quite well, Farouk I is really interested, and public opinion on the Egyptian side has expressed support for Egypt’s role as an Arab ally in protecting the Zanzibar Sultanate on the east coast of Africa.”

“Compared to the problems with the Suez Canal, an old World War II aircraft carrier is a pretty good deal. And Egypt has promised to pay for the refit.” Alan Wilson nodded his head in satisfaction, “Pulling Egypt into the middle of the situation in Black Africa still benefits Britain a lot overall, and it can calm the black people down.”

As long as the Suez Canal remained secure, there was no other way to choke off the British connection to the colonies.

“Arrange for a radio station to prepare for an interview when the minister returns, and of course, while we praise the minister, let’s not forget that respecting our opponents is respecting ourselves, and that His Majesty Farouk I, who seems to have the illusion that Ali Pasha is alive, should also be elevated to a certain level.”

Alan Wilson clapped his hands to distill a few key words, “The second Ali Pasha, difficult, sheepishly suggestive words, should be used a little more. Anyway, ordinary citizens are ignorant, just listen and feel uncertain.”

“Sir Wilson, the minister must be delighted to be scheduled for such a visit.” Dixon complimented with a knowing look.

“We have to give the minister his performance, we can’t just say he’s unprofessional. And how many are professional? Happiness is all about comparison, we give space to the minister and the minister will give us space. We all improve each other.”

“The minister has just taken office not long ago and has only visited the U.S. Arrange the minister’s travel itinerary. There are quite a few important countries as well, but it’s best to delay the schedule for France a bit and wait for it to stabilize before saying anything.”

Dixon kept nodding, then asked for instructions, “Sir Wilson, should your name be added to the list of visits first or? It will be arranged when the time comes.”

“I’m also going to arrange my own trip, let me know when it’s time, and add my name if I’m available.” Alan Wilson’s first Foreign Office meeting to preside over the agenda ended in a fit of laughter.

With the current support rating of the Labor Party cabinet, perhaps Harold Wilson completed all the schedule of the trip, it should be a general election, perhaps the Honorable Foreign Secretary, will complete the magnificent transformation from minister to backbench MP, it is not even possible.

Harold Wilson, who is valued in Egypt, does not yet know that he has not yet returned, and has been arranged by his own permanent undersecretary in a clear way.

Allen Wilson, who completed the first executive meeting, was in a good mood and got together with Lord Sheffield of the Home Office.

The British Foreign Office and the Ministry of the Interior have a connection, the Foreign Office was originally formed by the merger of the Ministry of the South and the Ministry of the North, each of these two departments covered foreign and domestic affairs.

The foreign affairs responsibilities of both departments became the Foreign Office, while their domestic affairs responsibilities were assigned to the Home Office.

And now, one of the basic tasks of the Foreign Office is to promote and support the British economy; to provide consular services to British nationals abroad; and to support the British Home Office in visa applications for entry abroad, which is closely related to the Home Office.

“Sir Wilson, what are your feelings after experiencing a dramatic change in France?” Makins asked with a smile, holding up his glass.

“The sentiment is that only de Gaulle can save France.” Alan Wilson replied half-jokingly, and then the conversation turned to say, “I wonder what’s been happy lately, especially over at the Zoo.”

“The happy things over the House of Commons are also closely related to the chaos over France, in fact, you also know that sometimes the opposition party also understands that in their place, the decisions made are similar to the ruling party, but how can we show the function of the opposition party without a couple of arguments?” Makins, who was holding a glass of wine, shrugged, “How are you and your minister doing? Fixed him yet?”

“I hate the word fixed, we’re collaborators.” Alan Wilson straightened his back and said with a great sense of justice, “We are all serving the interests of the British Empire, and we cooperate with each other with total disinterest and sincerity.”

“Looks like it’s done.” Makins nodded in understanding, “Maybe the methods used are different, but they are all on the same path, don’t let the minister interfere with the normal operation of the government, the exact method used is not so important, individuals have their personal privacy.”

Slander, false, in the obvious but shameful planting of evidence, Alan Wilson was just about to open his mouth to retort when Makins summoned the waiter, “Bring me another whiskey, oh no, two, please.”