Pages 5-37 from FCO 177-104

The text is a letter discussing the upcoming meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) Working Group in Interlaken, Switzerland in January 1991. The letter contains a brief for the UK delegation attending the meeting and summarizes various developments since the last meeting. The objective of the meeting is to work towards an agreement on recommendations to be presented to the full NSG meeting. The letter also includes a list of individuals copied on the correspondence.

The enclosed brief discusses the nature of the multi-lateral regime for nuclear-sensitive dual-use items and the terms of reference for the Working Group. The UK envisions a regime based on agreed guidelines that establish obligations for controlling a common list of goods of concern. The model for this regime is the Missile Technology Control Regime, and it should incorporate regular consultations, exchanges of information, and denial notifications. The status of discussions within the Working Group is also mentioned, including the agreement on the need for an agreed list of items and the publication of guidelines.

The letter identifies key issues for discussion in Interlaken, focusing on the guidelines. These issues include the objective of the regime, the basic principle of including or excluding non-nuclear weapon states, and the explanation of terms used. The UK is opposed to deleting the reference to non-nuclear weapon states but is open to applying the provisions to China through a different paragraph.