Pages 44-49 from FCO 177-96

The letter is a summary of a UK delegation's participation in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) Working Group meeting in Brussels. The delegation discusses the progress made in achieving agreement on a new multilateral regime for nuclear sensitive dual-use goods. The meeting focused on options for controlling nuclear-related dual-use commodities, including national discretion, independent guidelines, and integrated guidelines. The UK delegation emphasizes the need for an agreed list and common guidelines, and explores the possibility of incorporating them into existing frameworks or forming separate guidelines. The delegation also discusses a Dutch proposal for a supplementary mechanism and bilateral undertakings between NSG members. The meeting delves into technical details and amendments to the proposed guidelines, with a general consensus on the need for flexibility and close coordination between NSG members. The UK and Dutch hold an informal meeting with other European Community (EC) partners to discuss the regime's nature and scope. Bilateral discussions with various countries reveal support for an additional mechanism to control access to full membership. The letter concludes by mentioning issues that need further focus and announces plans for a meeting in September to review progress and formulate the UK's position for the next Working Group meeting.