Visit by Margaret Thatcher, UK Prime Minister, to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman and Qatar, April 1981

This file relates to a visit by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to India, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf States of Oman, the UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) and Qatar. This file concerns preparations for the visit and contains correspondence regarding:

• HMG's consideration of publicity and press arrangements, including the accompanying press party and requests to interview the Prime Minister by magazines and newspapers such as Al Yamamah, Al Khaleej, Al Medina, and Al Azmina Al Arabiya
• An outline programme for the visit to Saudi Arabia, UAE and Oman
• The question of the length of the visit in each state
• Briefs on UK objectives, probable Arab objectives, and topics of general conversation
• Arrangements for co-ordinating inter-departmental briefing for the Prime Minister
• An invitation for the Prime Minister to visit UK technology firm Scicon Consultancy International Limited
• The Queen's birthday party at the British Embassy in Qatar
• A reply by King Hussein Bin Talal of Jordan to the Prime Minister's message on the subject of Tornado aircraft and other military equipment
• The official programme for the visit to Saudi Arabia