RESTRICTED
M43 090/4
TOP COPY Q DIST ?
67
014373
MDHIAN 6087
RESTRICTED
FM WASHINGTON
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 1279
OF 102335Z MAY 91
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, HONG KONG, ACTOR
159
YOUR TELNO 890 TO HONG KONG: US/CHINA: MFN AND KIMMITT'S VISIT SUMMARY
1. OUR ADVICE ON FURTHER APPROACHES TO THE ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS. THE KIMMITT VISIT: SOME SMALL SIGNS OF MOVEMENT FROM THE CHINESE ON TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AND PRISON LABOUR. ADMINISTRATION MILDLY ENCOURAGED. BELIEVE THE CHINESE AT LEAST NOW REALISE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE MFN DEBATE HERE.
DETAIL
2.
WE AGREE WITH THE ACTION PLAN IN TUR. THE ADMINISTRATION'S ASSESSMENT OF THE KIMMITT VISIT WILL BE AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN REACHING THEIR DECISION. IN VIEW OF THIS WE RECOMMEND THAT WE KEEP THE IDEA OF A LETTER FROM THE PRIME MINISTER TO THE PRESIDENT IN RESERVE UNTIL AFTER YOUR VISIT HERE NEXT WEEK WHEN WE SHOULD HAVE A CLEARER IDEA OF ADMINISTRATION THINKING. WE SHOULD, HOWEVER, BE PREPARED TO MOVE QUICKLY THEREAFTER, SINCE THE PRESIDENT WILL NEED TO REACH A DECISION BEFORE 3 JUNE. I WILL CERTAINLY WRITE TO CONGRESSMEN. BUT THE GOVERNOR'S LETTER SHOULD ISSUE FIRST (AND FAIRLY SOON). I WOULD PREFER TO HOLD MY LETTER IN RESERVE FOR A LATER STAGE IN WHAT IS LIKELY TO BE A LENGTHY CONGRESSIONAL BATTLE.
HE
3. ON 10 MAY WIEDERMAN (STATE) GAVE US A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF KIMMITT'S VISIT. HE SAID KIMMITT HAD STARTED BY DISCUSSING A VARIETY OF INTERNATIONAL ISSUES WITH THE CHINESE, IN THE HOPE OF DEMONSTRATING THE IMPORTANCE THE AMERICANS ATTACHED TO CONTINUING A US/CHINA GLOBAL DIALOGUE. KIMMITT THEN POINTED OUT THAT CLOSER COOPERATION WOULD BE DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF CONCERNS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS, PROLIFERATION, AND THE TRADE IMBALANCE. GAVE THE CHINESE A THOROUGH ACCOUNT OF AMERICAN PROBLEMS, INCLUDING DETAILS OF CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATION WHICH COULD CONSTRAIN THE ADMINISTRATION'S FLEXIBILITY. HE EMPHASISED THAT THE MFN DECISION WAS MORE DIFFICULT THIS YEAR THAN LAST, AND THAT ANY POSITIVE STEP FROM THE CHINESE ON KEY CONCERNS WOULD MAKE THE PRESIDENT'S DECISION EASIER, AND MORE LIKELY TO BE SUPPORTED IN CONGRESS.
4.
KIMMITT FOCUSED ON AREAS WHERE THE AMERICANS THOUGHT THERE WAS A CHANCE OF PROGRESS (IE AREAS WHICH THE REGIME OUGHT NOT TO
1
PAGE RESTRICTED