◆ SpookStack

SECRET 5. The Law Officers have advised that a respectable argument could be advanced for the view that a total ban on non-scheduled carriage of cargo for hire or reward by Ugandan Airlines from Stansted to Uganda would be consistent with Article 77 of the Airline Navigation Order, even though it was imposed for reasons unconnected with air navigation. The Law Officers warned however that in any legal proceedings challenging such action there could be no guarantee of success, though they believed that a court might be expected to strain to find in favour of the Executive. It has been my view that the Law Officers1 opinion gives adequate grounds for placing a ban on the uplift and discharge of Ugandan traffic at Stansted. Edmund Dell has hitherto expressed doubt both as to his powers to ban the flights and as to the wisdom of doing so. 6. I believe that Amin's attack on a friendly Commonwealth country, and the internal situation in Uganda, have produced a new situation in which the question of action against the flights should be reconsidered. We now have reason to believe that stopping these flights from Stansted, and with them the flow of luxury items to Amin's military supporters, will weaken his authority over his soldiers. They could indeed be tempted to turn against him. According to secret sources shortages of luxury goods were among the grievances aired by the soldiers who mutinied recently. It may be significant that after a temporary cessation of the flights in late October the first flight in November (3 November) carried a large consignment of whisky and household luxuries, as well as blood transfusion equipment which could be needed for battle casualties. 7. I believe we should not let slip an opportunity to take action which might tip the scales against Amin and that there is a strong case for finding means to suspend the flights from Stansted. If action against the flights is to have the impact we want, it is important to move swiftly to take advantage of the present unrest. If we remain uncertain over our powers to place a definitive ban on the flights, I suggest that Edmund Dell should in the first instance consider instructing his officials to find suitable technical reasons on the basis of which the flights could SECRET