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Prime Minister may wish to emphasise that the
British Government, like the British people, have been
appalled by the brutal suppression of peaceful
demonstrations in Peking and by the subsequent
persecution of those demanding their democratic rights.
She may wish to explain the steps taken by the British
Government to register our outrage at the action of the
Chinese authorities: the cancellation of Ministerial
visits to and from China; the suspension of high-level
military contacts and a ban on arms sales.
The Prime Minister will also be able to describe the
condemnation of the Chinese Government by the Madrid
European Council. If appropriate, you may wish to
arrange for the delegation to be given copies of the
statement on China issued by the Council.
however wish to explain that it is not for governments to
propose resolutions in the European Parliament.
She may
The delegation may also ask about action to censure
the Chinese Government in other international fora,
notably the UN. The Prime Minister may wish to explain
that the Secretary General of the UN has already issued
statement expressing his great sadness at the use of
force against demonstrations in Peking. He has appealed
to the Chinese to use the utmost restraint. But he is
inhibited by the requirement of the Charter that the
United Nations should abstain from intervention in regard
to matters that are essentially within the domestic
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