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problems (nationalities, role of the CPSU), and with challenges to the external gains which the Soviet Union had made since 1945. Under such circumstances, a greater degree of institutionalisation might appear attractive to a larger number of states.
3. Mr Tait wondered whether the ressurance provided by a CSCE Summit might not be of a purely cosmetic nature: Summit could not be held before the autumn, by which time many of the critical steps affecting the future of Eastern Europe would have been taken. Herr Sudhoff said that the FRG was thinking in the longer term of the CSCE being used to create a new pan-European structure for guaranteeing stability. But a Summit might also be an opportunity for the Soviet Union to accept German unification without too much loss of face.
4. In answer to a question from the PUS, Herr Sudhoff confirmed that the FRG saw the Summit as a means of setting the seal on the CFE talks; their preference on timing was therefore October or November. During Herr Genscher's visit to the US, the FRG side had the impression that the Americans were relatively relaxed about a Summit, after their initial unhappiness following the EC Foreign Minister's meeting in Dublin.
5.
Mr Tait asked whether the Germans had given any thought to priorities for their proposals on institutionalising the CSCE process.
Herr Sudhoff stressed that these were only preliminary working ideas. The easiest first step would be annual or biennial meetings of Foreign Ministers, which could be a forum where other structures (on economic, scientific and environmental cooperation) could be studied. In the field of economic cooperation, Herr Sudhoff specifically mentioned encouraging systems of free enterprise, and agreements on double taxation and investment protection. Mr Tait commented that progress at the Bonn Economic Conference might offer useful substance for the proposed 1990 Summit to address.
6.
Ambassador von Richthofen said that the FRG were anxious for high-level British participation at the Bonn Economic Conference. Mr Summerscale said that we were conscious of the FRG's wish.
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7. Herr Sudhoff spoke favourably of the US interest in closer consultations with the Twelve, and recommended an accommodating response, French problems notwithstanding. PUS said that the UK shared this position: the Secretary of State favoured more frequent meetings. We recognised French views (although we were surprised at the vehemence with which they were expressed), but accommodation of the US should be
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