If appropriatel China
permanent
member of the Security
Council and could of course exercise her veto against any attempt by that body to criticise her action.
Action in the UN human rights machinery is another thing we
shall be considering with EC colleagues.
WITHDRAWAL OF BRITISH AMBASSADOR? / BREAK DIPLOMATIC LINKS
We have no plans to do so. The Embassy provides a key source of information and channel of communication to the Chinese authorities. We shall however keep the situation under review.
SAFETY OF BRITISH CITIZENS IN CHINA?
The Embassy has been putting great efforts into establishing contact with all British nationals and Hong Kong people in Peking. No difficulties involving British citizens or Hong Kong people so far apart from the manhandling by Chinese security personnel of British journalists, and one report of an unnamed British subject being taken to hospital. I expressed to the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires our concern to the Chinese about these incidents involving the journalists.
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Our advice is very firmly that all travel to China should be postponed until the situation becomes clearer.
NEED TO EVACUATE BRITISH NATIONALS?
We have already advised all British nationals (and Hong Kong people) in those areas where there has been trouble and who are concerned for their safety to take the opportunity to leave by
commercial means.
We have arranged for a special British Airways flight to take out British and Commmonwealth students plus some British businessmen who have not previously been able to leave Peking.
We shall keep under review the need to charter further aircraft
to help ease the pressure on commercial flights.
(If asked about use of military aircraft) Question does not arise, as people are able to leave by commercial means, supplemented as necessary by chartered civilian aircraft.
AS 3AAU/3