RESTRICTED
NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS WHICH HS DUE TO OPEN ON 25 MARCH. IF UT WERE NOT DONE THEN, ANOTHER YEAR WOULD HAVE TO PASS, ALTHOUGH THIS WOULD NOT PRECLUDE THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ACTING PREMIER AT ANY TIME. THE EAST EUROPEANS HAVE SAID THAT THEY ARE EXPECTING ZHAO TO VISIT THEM THIS YEAR IN HIS CAPACITY AS PREMIER. THIS ARGUES AGAINST EARLY CHANGE FROM THE PRESENT STATE OF AFFAIRS. BUT UNTIL THE UNCERTAINTY IS CLEARED UP, THE CHINESE CANNOT REASONABLY CLAIM TO HAVE A STABLE LEADERSHIP.
EVANS
YYYY
PEHPAN 3304
LIMITED
FED
HKD
PUSD
NEWS D
INFOD
RES D
PLANNING STAFF
PS
PS/MR RENTON
PS/PUS
MR GILLMORE
SIR D. WILSON.
COPIES TO:
SIR P. CRADOCK NO TO DOWNING ST. ASSESSMENTS STAFF. CABINET OFFICE
DI ROW MOD.
MR R. FELLOWES
BUCKINGH AM
PALACE.
3. RESTRICTED