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- 4 t . v u r i x x A . L i QPB/77 3/V3 HOME OFFICE QUEEN ANNE'S GATE LONDON SWiH 9AT 8th September 1977 C. A, Whitmore, Esq., Assistant Under-Secretary of State (Defence Staff), Ministry of Defence, Whi tehall, LONDON SV/lA 2HB CABINET! OFFICE N -9SEP1977 RUNS INS V 1' - - » — * President Amin The Foreign Secretary has drawn attention to reports that President Amin intends to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York and will pass through Heathrow en route. (The General Assembly opens on 20th September and I understand that the sessions of general debate, when Heads of Government are thought most likely to attend, last from 26th September until 10th October.) Whilst the probability that Amin will pass through this country is judged to be very low, even a brief stop while in transit could arouse protest and disorder and affront Parliamentary and public feeling (though not on anything like the scale anticipated had he come in June to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting and Silver Jubilee celebrations). Ministers have therefore concluded that Amin's presence in this country would be undesirable and that the exclusion direction made by the Home Secretary in June, which has not been rescinded, should continue in being. We need therefore to consider what arrangements should be made in order to prevent, if possible, Amin's landing in the United Kingdom, or to control him until he leaves on his onward (or return) flight. We do not believe that it is necessary to reactivate fully the elaborate contingency plans which were adopted to counter his coming in June. In particular, the deployment of units of the armed services and the activation of the Cabinet Office Briefing Room would not appear necessary on this occasion. But it would seem prudent to review the measures which need to be put in hand to ensure Amin's exclusion and to examine any practical problems which may arise. To this end I believe it would be useful if you and those to whom I am copying this letter could attend, or be represented at, a meeting at 11.00 a.m. on 19th September in Room 858 of this building. If Amin lands we shall need to ensure that the media are not manipulated by him while in transit, and in this connection two particular problems have been identified: the possible need for secure transport and escort if he has to transfer from one airport to another in this country; and the possible need for secure overnight accommodation. The first might be met by the armed services providing a helicopter at reasonable notice to transfer Amin and one or two members of his entourage, together with an Immigration Service escort, and I should be grateful if you could examine this possibility before the meeting. C O N F I D E N T I A L 1.