◆ SpookStack

CONFIDENTIAL (iii) the Head of the British Interests Section in Kampala, Mr Glasby, has for some time drawn the attention of the British community to the risks. 4. These warnings are of course supplemented by the implicit warning contained in news coverage of events in Uganda as well as by the BBC's coverage of Ugandannews and of statements by British Ministers in Parliament and elsewhere. Although we drew the BBC's attention to the last Written Answer on the risks to British subjects, which was made on 16 May, the BBC gave it no coverage. However, your own answer to Mrs Thatcher in the House last Thursday was fully reported by the Overseas Service and included the BBC's own commentary to the effect that there seemed little doubt that the Government would in fact ban President Amin from attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. 5. The French Ambassador estimated recently that any warning exercises would be likely to induce only three or four British families to leave Uganda. However, there are already signs that President Amin is beginning to react to the reports that he may be excluded from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. On Thursday, Uganda Radio carried verbal attacks on the British, accusations about spying by foreigners, a suggestion that the Uganda Government could not be held responsible for what happens to such people and the announcement that President Amin had personally assumed responsibility for British affairs. Under these circumstances, I believe that we should take what action /we CONFIDENTIAL