Vote today.
Mr Paul, HKD
CONFIDENTIAL
MAB 090/4
ess
Mr Furress
Fy
Pa.
181
WY z z
Caction
taken)
22/2
Mr Gass will dear orally it we provide details.
MFN Status for China
As you know, there was some discussion on MFN status for China at the dinner on 17 July between President Gorbachev and the G7 Heads of Government.
President Bush has now followed this up with the attached message to the Prime Minister. As you can see, the President thinks that the vote will take place on 23 July.
The Prime Minister does not know any of the Senators named and, in any case, will not have time to telephone them. Instead, PS/No 10 would be grateful if Mr Meyer (in the absence of HM Ambassador and Mr Wood) would telephone the Senators, making it clear that he is doing so on the Prime Minister's behalf and making whatever points the Department judges necessary.
I think that if it was judged useful, we probably could clear a very short introductory message (ie four or five sentences) from the Prime Minister which Mr Meyer could use. You will want to consider this, but obviously action will need to take place very quickly indeed.
22 July 1991
CC:
PS
PS/Lord Caithness PS/PUS
Sir J Coles
Mr Burns,
NAD
CONFIDENTIAL
(S L Gass)