*
و
our concern about human rights and our desire that they should continue to
move towards a fuller recognition of human rights.
6.
You mentioned there were certain improvements. Are those
straws in the wind or do you think there is a real fundamental change of
heart compared to the heart that, after all, did send the troops in and
drove tanks over students only a year or so ago?
(Mr Maude) I think it is probably too early to say. I hope they are
more than just straws in the wind but I shall be making clear to them, as I
think comes out from the discussions at Houston, that the Western Community
will be looking to China to see further evidence of moves in this
direction.
Chairman
You mentioned the economic summit at Houston. Is the decision
of the Japanese to resume official aid to the People's Republic, presumably
with the agreement or approval of other G7 powers, part of a slight change
of gear in the attitude of the G7 countries towards China and attempts to
begin to bring Peking back into better contacts over Hong Kong and other
things?
-
(Mr Maude) Yes, I think it does represent a beginning of that move
no more than a beginning and not a dramatic move. The agreement which, as
I understand it, the leaders of the Seven have reached in Houston does not
certainly involve a massive relaxation of the measures agreed last year but
it does point the way towards a relaxation and look forward to some further
good moves by the People's Republic Government and corresponding moves by
the Western community, and there is a specific reference to loans. The
words are these: "For example, in addition to existing lending to meet
basic human needs, which has been continuing throughout, we explored
6