Chapter 957 Arranging Ministers

This is the first time he has chaired a formal meeting of the Foreign Office. It happens that the Foreign Secretary is not in London, which is a good time.

After many years, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also seen some changes in new faces. For example, the original Director of Personnel of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Milton, has retired. It is time to discuss the issue of the Falkland Islands. Because at this time, the issue of the ownership of the Falkland Islands has been submitted to the United Nations for discussion.

It can be seen from this that the UK does not attach much importance to the issue of the ownership of the Falkland Islands, otherwise it would not allow this issue to be discussed at the United Nations.

You must know that this year, the United Kingdom sold the Giant-class aircraft carrier from World War II to the Argentine Navy. If it pays special attention to the ownership of the Falkland Islands, how can it strengthen the navy of an enemy country?

Putting aside the issue of the ownership of the Falkland Islands, the relationship between Britain and Argentina is actually quite good.

The Falkland Islands are not without strategic value. This value was mainly reflected before the opening of the Panama Canal.

The Panama Canal was officially opened in 1914, when World War I had broken out. During World War I, the British Royal Navy used the Falkland Islands as a base to intercept and kill the German navy overseas.

Regarding the current negotiations on the ownership of the Falkland Islands, the attitudes of the United Kingdom and Argentina can be understood as: I can talk and I can be patriotic, and there is no tension at all.

The UK did not act imperialistic because of the huge disparity in international status and military power. Generally speaking, the discussion of the Falkland Islands issue was quite peaceful.

During the Thatcher era, Britain suddenly went to war over the Falkland Islands, which was beyond the expectations of the Argentine military government. Because in the decades since World War II, Britain has always pretended that it could talk calmly.

"This is an era of reconciliation. Let us focus on the future and seek common ground while reserving differences." Alan Wilson expressed his attitude dryly during the discussion. "In fact, our relationship with Argentina is quite good, isn't it? We just sold them an aircraft carrier. Public opinion in some other countries says that we will go to war with Argentina because of a marginal place, which is simply nonsense."

The conference room fell into a brief silence, and then everyone nodded in agreement. From various angles, they believed that the boss's views were reasonable, and some reasons even the casual Alan Wilson had not thought of.

For example, from the perspective of offshore balance, one of the deputy secretaries-general believed that maintaining harmonious relations with Argentina would help balance the influence of Brazil in South America, a country that exceeds its surrounding neighbors in terms of size.

So smart, Alan Wilson didn't even think of this, otherwise why would so many bureaucrats like to promote sycophants? This all makes sense.

"Offshore balance is only one aspect." Alan Wilson looked like an enigmatic Chang Gong. He seemed to be calm and had already begun to win the battle thousands of miles away. He was considering moving the machine gun positions in the Falkland Islands by five meters...

Alan Wilson, who talked about peace and constructive communication, changed his face from his previous tenure in Asia.

Alan Wilson's remarks at that time included, but were not limited to, on Goa, "When Goa was occupied by the Portuguese, not even India existed."

Regarding the issue of the Dutch East Indies, "Do independent countries take it for granted that they are entitled to inherit all the land of the sovereign country? This is simply naive. I am poor and I am justified."

At this moment, Alan Wilson, who is the Permanent Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, temporarily forgot about the family talk that had not been fully considered before, put away his imperialist face, and decided to peacefully resolve the Falkland Islands. The tone of belonging.

But Argentina must not be allowed to take it away, and the issue of the Falkland Islands will be left to the United Nations to wait for time. When conflicts are about to break out, it's easy to arouse them.

Perhaps the existence of Alan Wilson will lead to a less obvious decline in Britain's military strength.

But the main conditions that triggered the war still exist. As long as Argentina's economy is poor and it wants to shift conflicts, there is a possibility of a war.

If Argentina hesitates, it can hire a few Argentine patriots to land on the Falkland Islands and wave the Argentine flag, then handle the matter coldly and use its hegemony of public opinion to put the Argentine government on the fire.

So as long as Argentina's economy goes from one bankruptcy to another, there is a possibility of war in the Falkland Islands, and Alan Wilson's job is to give Argentina the illusion that I can do it while preserving the British military power...

"The Foreign Secretary will be back in a few days, so we will tell Lord Cassia to communicate well with the Argentines at the United Nations meeting." Alan Wilson said this and asked Harold Wilson's private secretary, "Dixon, Minister I’ll be back in a few days.”

"Farouk I is talking to the minister about the ownership of the Suez Canal." Dixon took out the Egyptian schedule and replied, "Today should be a visit to the pyramids."

"Our attitude is still the same as before. We will discuss the management rights of the Aswan Dam and the canal together." Alan Wilson nodded and said, "Have we ever discussed the sale of aircraft carriers that the Navy is concerned about?"

"When it comes to this issue, things are going very smoothly. The attitude of the cabinet is also quite tolerant. As long as Egypt pays for the modification fee, Egypt can be sold." Dixon expressed optimism on this issue. "The minister's negotiation was quite good. Faro King Croix I is indeed very interested, and public opinion in Egypt has also expressed support for Egypt's role as Arab leader in protecting the Sultanate of Zanzibar on the east coast of Africa."

"Compared with the Suez Canal problem, an old aircraft carrier from World War II is quite cost-effective. And Egypt also promised to pay for the modification." Alan Wilson nodded with satisfaction, "Drawing Egypt into the black African situation, overall, Britain still benefits greatly from being able to calm down black people.”

As long as the Suez Canal was safe, there was no other way to cut off Britain from the colonies.

"Arrange the radio station and prepare to conduct interviews after the minister comes back. Of course, while we are praising the minister, we should not forget that respecting our opponents is to respect ourselves. His Majesty Faruk I, who seems to have the illusion that Ali Pasha is alive, It should also be raised to a certain level.”

Alan Wilson clapped his hands and extracted a few key words, "The second Ali Pasha is difficult to deal with. Use more suggestive words that hide the needle in the wool. Ordinary citizens are ignorant anyway, so just listen and feel that they are not aware of the seriousness."

"Sir Wilson, the minister must be very pleased to be arranged for such a visit." Dixon complimented with a look of understanding.

"We need to give ministers political achievements. We cannot just say that ministers are unprofessional. How many professionals are there? Happiness is all determined by comparison. If we give ministers space, the ministers will also give us space. We all make progress together."

"The minister has just taken office not long ago. He has only visited the United States. Let's arrange the minister's travel itinerary. There are also many important countries, but it is best to postpone the French itinerary until it stabilizes."

Dixon kept nodding, and then asked for instructions, "Sir Wilson, should you add your name to the list of visits first? We will make arrangements at that time."

"I also have to arrange my own schedule. Let me know when the time comes. If I have time, just add my name." The first foreign ministry meeting on the schedule hosted by Alan Wilson ended with laughter. .

Judging from the current support rate of the Labor cabinet, maybe Harold Wilson will complete all his overseas visits before the general election. Maybe the distinguished Foreign Secretary will complete the magnificent transformation from minister to backbencher. This is not possible. .

Harold Wilson, who was valued in Egypt, didn't know that he had been clearly arranged by his deputy secretary before he came back.

Alan Wilson, who had completed his first standing meeting, was in a good mood and gathered with Lord Sheffield of the Home Office.

The Foreign Office and the Home Office have a connection. The Foreign Office was originally formed by the merger of the Southern and Northern Departments. Each of these two departments covers foreign and domestic affairs.

The foreign affairs responsibilities of both departments became the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while their domestic affairs responsibilities were transferred to the Ministry of the Interior.

Now, one of the basic tasks of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to promote and support the British economy; provide consular services to British nationals overseas; and support the British Home Office in overseas entry visa applications, which is closely related to the Home Office.

"Sir Wilson, how do you feel about experiencing the great changes in France?" Maxins asked with a smile, holding up his wine glass.

"My feeling is that only de Gaulle can save France." Alan Wilson replied half-jokingly, and then changed the topic, "I don't know what happy things happened recently, especially at the zoo."

"The happy things in the House of Commons are also closely related to the chaos in France. In fact, you also know that sometimes the opposition parties also understand that if it were them, they would make similar decisions to the ruling party, but they would not argue. How can you show the function of the opposition party?" Markins, holding a wine glass, shrugged, "How are you and your minister? Have you dealt with him?"

"I hate the word get-together, we are collaborators." Alan Wilson straightened his back and said righteously, "We all serve the interests of the British Empire, we are completely selfless and cooperate sincerely with each other."

"It seems we've got it done." Makins nodded clearly. "The methods may be different, but they all lead to the same goal. Don't let ministers interfere with the normal government operations. The specific method used is not that important. , individuals have their own privacy.”

The slander was false, and it was an obvious and shameful frame-up. Just as Alan Wilson was about to refute, Makins called the waiter, "Bring me another glass of whiskey, oh no, two glasses, thank you."