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JllYkRTMENT OP TRADE 1 VICTORIA STREET LONDON DW1H t-ET Telephoned-215 "«fl Bryan Cartledge Esq 10 Downing Street London SY/1 L 28 February 1979 - 2 MAR 1979 PILING INSTRUCTIONS: O, «A.gaj..L UGANDA AIRLINE PLIGHTS TO SCANSTED The Secretary of State has seen a copy of the Foreign, and Commonwealth Secretary's minute of 27 February to the Prime Minister about Uganda Airlines' flights to" Stansted. He agrees that, in the light of the DOP discussion on 22 January, it woul now be appropriate to suspend Uganda Airlines' flights. Because this decision will raise a number of technical difficulties, ana will be to sc extent unprecedented in civil aviation relations, he would prefer, en balance, that the announcement should be made in a fairly low-key manner and should stress that the decision has been taken on political grounds. He is content for the timing of any announcement to be left to the judgement of the Foreign ana Commonwealth Secretary but he has asked me to draw to the attention <x? his colleagues trie attached arii in today's "Daily Telegraph". You will see that Uganda Airlines allege- that most of the supplies flown out from Stanste-I are medical equipment, Mr Smith would not, however, wish this consideration to stand in the way of a suspension of flights. Officials from this Department are already in touch with those in the other Departments concerned about the mechanics of a suspension. I understand that there are two flight permits which have been issue! to Uganda Airlines which we have been toll will not be used for an indefinite period (presumably because of the current situation in Ugania) It is our intention to suspend these but this will, of course, maks it necessary to inform' Uganda Airlines in London at the same time ~hat announcemen this Department is cade. I am sending copies of this letter to the Private Secretaries of of the DOP Coma.ittee (with a reminder that the Secretary of Stat not a member of that Committee) and to Martin Vile in the Cabine T G' KA.H21Z Private Secretary