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CONFIDENTIAL - ^ Ref. A068?9 MR. CARTLEDGE Ugandan Airlines: Flights to and from Stansted Airport /•'•'' o\ % understand that you have asked for advice on Mr. Dell's minute to V^ Jpr« Owen of 10th March (copied to the Prime Kiinister) saying that he is not rea at this stage, to agree with Dr. Owen's proposal that we should take action to st these flights. He is seeking further clarification of the legal position* 2. I do not think that the Prime Minister should intervene at this stage. The case for action is to make a political gesture, though this needs to be weighed against the fact that the supplies might still be bought from the United Kingdom using commercial airlines, and also that it will shortly be announced that the Ugandan Government has accepted a Commission of Human Rights enqui in Uganda. The real point is however that the Law Officers' advice is already qualified and is now being challenged further by the Department of Trade Solicitor's Department. Clearly the lawyers must first establish whether or not the flights could be stopped without risk of effective legal action by President Amin. ._••* a (John Hunt) 16th March, 1978