THE WAY FORWARD

  The Institute of Commonwealth Studies is well equipped to use London University's network abroad and long-standing practice of awarding extra mural degrees to set up studies on the causes of tension at an early stage; the ways in which, with new communications, these tensions can be dangerously exploited for political purposes. We also feel that the personnel from the Foreign and Commonwealth Offices, a network of even longer standing, is under used and under estimated, beset as it is by demanding agencies with their own agendas, a relationship unresolved as yet.

  We find that there is a reservoir of support across all walks of life for the idea of "commonwealth" on the lines of the 19th century Durham Report, ie that there is continual pressure towards "independence" which cannot and will not be denied, but which can be satisfied through mechanisms of mutual self interest.

  Our exhibition included a demonstration to show how quickly a computer can be put together given the right components, so weapons of mass destruction, so even germ warfare, the same.

  Central planning and agreement have never been able to stop pirating and proliferation; only the identification of danger at an early stage can do so, followed by peer pressure. The way forward on these lines needs a network of intelligence which the UK can and must supply.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

Details of Exhibition, House of Commons, 13-17 December 1999

Host: MP—Sir Richard Body

  1.  Diagram of exhibits on show—see diagrams on request.

  2.  Details of material from Institute of Commonwealth Studies projects in hand—available at source.

  3.  Details from Commonwealth Institute, Kensington, on cultural field—available at source.

  4.  Demonstration to show how a computer is made up from components, working model, by Sultan Siddiqui and Abed Quereshi.

  5.  Screen to indicate the Silk Road trading route from earliest times from East to West.

  6.  Five icons to indicate the development of printing and of ideas to present day; see diagram:

(a)  From Hieroglyphics to Western alphabet;

(b)  Dance of Death and links to South America from medieval Europe; Calendar and Time;

(c)  Cuneiform ambitions in ancient Babylon—astronomy and astrology;

(d)  The Persian Garden—development of medicine and mathematics;

(e)  Far Eastern influences on 19th century West through trade—both ways, East and West still continuing?

  Lists of those attending the above exhibition, replying only, and commenting, are available on request. All without exception were courteous, some asking to be kept in touch.