MINTOFF MOVES AGAINST NATO AND UK FLAGS ON MALTA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-15-4-8-2
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: November 29, 2012
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: August 2, 1971
• Content Type: MEMO

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? No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/11/26: LOC-HAK-15-4-8-2 WA' ,-4,0
MEMORANDUM
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
VERY
August 2, 1971
OSD, State Dept. & NSC
reviews completed
MEMORANDUM FOR MR. KISSINGER
FROM: Helmut Sonnenfeldt
SUBJECT:
31053
Mintoff Moves Against NATO and UK Flags on Malta
State has informed us that this morning Mintoff instructed the UK commander
in Malta -- Admiral Ashmore, NATO's Acting NAVSCYUTH Commander --
that as of tomorrow morning (August 3) he does not want either the British
or the NATO flag flown on Malta.
This information arrived at NATO while the NAC was meeting on the subject
of Malta. The NAC reached the decision that NATO should reply to Mintoff
through the UK Commander to the effect that:
? This is the sort of issue that NATO's representative (Acting
Secretary General Kastl) can discuss with you when he visits Malta later
this month, and we would hope you can wait until those discussions;
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-- However, if you are adamant we will not fly the flags.
In response to any press inquiries, NATO would say only; We are not flying
the flag because the Prime Minister of Malta has so requested.
This response to Mintoff would put the ball back in his court and hopefully
cause him to delay taking action on the flag issue. There would appear to be
little more that NATO as an organization can do. However, it is probable
that Mintoff will not change his mind based on this res onse alone. There
is not enough that is positive in it. I recommend that we contact Mintoff
that such action stands only to damage NATO
and UK negotiations at a time when such negotiations may well produce the
financial results he desires -- and urge as persuasively as possible that
Mintoff not move on the flags. He should point out that NATO's response is
logical and just, and that NATO is addressing the issue of assistance for Malta
in good faith. We will have to act quickly if we are to get this message to
Mintoff before he moves against the flags tomorrow.
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No Objection to Declassification in Part 2013/11/26: LOC-HAK-15-4-8-2
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SECRET