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INFO IMMEDIATE WASHINGTON, PEKING
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MDHIAN 2994
Entest PA
YOUR TELNO 1472 : U.S. SANCTIONS AGAINST CHINA : ASIASAT
1. PARA. 3 OF YOUR TUR REFERS.
2. WE HAVE RECEIVED A NUMBER OF APPROACHES FROM ASIASAT SEEKING HKG
SUPPORT FOR ITS LOBBYING EFFORTS IN WASHINGTON AIMED AT LIFTING THE SUSPENSION OF THE EXPORT LICENCE FOR ITS WESTAR SATELLITE, SO THAT IT CAN PROCEED WITH ITS PLANNED PRC LAUNCH BY LONG MARCH.
3. THE LINE WE ARE TAKING WITH ASIASAT IS THAT WE NOTE THAT THE
COMPANY HAS THE OPTION OF TAKING A FRENCH ARIANE LAUNCH. WE RECOGNISE THAT THE COST WOULD BE HIGHER, BUT IN OUR VIEW THIS IS ENTIRELY A MATTER OF COMMERCIAL JUDGEMENT. IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR HKG TO
INTERVENE AND BE SEEN TO BE TAKING THE LEAD IN PRESSING FOR CHINA TO
BE ALLOWED TO LAUNCH THE ASIASAT SATELLITE.
4. MR. SEDDON, ASIASAT'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE, HAS INDICATED THAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT ON THIS MATTER (OR ARE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING SO). GRATEFUL TO BE INFORMED OF WHAT LINE YOU ARE TAKING AND, IF POSSIBLE, TO HAVE SIGHT OF YOUR WRITTEN MESSAGE TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT, WHICH MR. SEDDON HAS CLAIMED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IS SUPPORTIVE OF ASIASAT'S CASE.
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