Post by Diarist on Sept 11, 2016 15:47:11 GMT 1
At the Foreign Office Anthony Eden was expecting me so I was quickly ushered into his office. "I hear you are thinking of travelling to Germany next month?" He asked after we had greeted each other.
"I haven't decided yet. If I do it will be a private visit. I have nothing which I wish to discuss with the German Defence Ministry or whatever it is now called. The weather will be the determining factor because I wish to fly in and out of Berlin. That's where my wife was born."
"Where do you intend travelling officially?"
"France and Belgium then the Middle East followed by Athens, Belgrade and Warsaw on the way back. Then possibly to Berlin. They are all somehow involved with my duties in TRADOC and now the MoD. I want to introduce myself. When can my wife and I receive our diplomatic passports?"
"They are ready now. When do you intend travelling?"
"Again it depends on the weather but not before next Friday, the 29th."
"Do you still wish to travel with John Simon?"
"That was my original idea but to be honest I don't want to get involved in foreign policy."
"As you wish. You can of course count on Embassy support in the nations you visit."
"I really appreciate that, Sir. I shall have two security personnel accompanying me but since I'm only a junior minister I'm hoping to keep a low profile."
"Good luck with that." There was a knock on the door. "Your passports."
I signed for them then left for my office at the MoD. I got things done this morning.
"I haven't decided yet. If I do it will be a private visit. I have nothing which I wish to discuss with the German Defence Ministry or whatever it is now called. The weather will be the determining factor because I wish to fly in and out of Berlin. That's where my wife was born."
"Where do you intend travelling officially?"
"France and Belgium then the Middle East followed by Athens, Belgrade and Warsaw on the way back. Then possibly to Berlin. They are all somehow involved with my duties in TRADOC and now the MoD. I want to introduce myself. When can my wife and I receive our diplomatic passports?"
"They are ready now. When do you intend travelling?"
"Again it depends on the weather but not before next Friday, the 29th."
"Do you still wish to travel with John Simon?"
"That was my original idea but to be honest I don't want to get involved in foreign policy."
"As you wish. You can of course count on Embassy support in the nations you visit."
"I really appreciate that, Sir. I shall have two security personnel accompanying me but since I'm only a junior minister I'm hoping to keep a low profile."
"Good luck with that." There was a knock on the door. "Your passports."
I signed for them then left for my office at the MoD. I got things done this morning.