CONFIDENTIAL
NOTES FOR MR KIMMITT'S CALL ON THE PUS (1800 ON 4 JULY)
Bilateral Relations
1.
As seen from here, these are in good shape. We and the Americans co-ordinated well during the Gulf conflict and have done so in the aftermath. Our contingent (the largest, led by Sir Peter de la Billiere) in the New York welcome home parade on 10 June, was received with particular affection by the American public. The Queen made a highly successful State Visit to the Washington DC area, Florida and Texas (as well as a private visit to Kentucky) from 14- 23 May, the highlights of which were an address to a joint meeting of Congress and the presentation of an award to General Schwarzkopf.
2. The PUS might ask Kimmitt how he sees relations with the UK from Washington. This could lead into a wider discussion on transatlantic relations, if the PUS wished.
MFN Status for China
3. The President has unconditionally renewed MFN, but Congress and the Senate can veto that decision if they are able to muster a two-thirds majority, or they can seek to add onerous conditions on renewal next year. A vote in Congress is expected in the first half of July and a Senate vote sometime between the 4 July holiday and the start of the Summer Recess on 5 August.
4.
At a meeting with the Secretary of State in London on 1 July (in the context of the British American Parliamentary Group 50th Anniversary celebrations), Speaker Foley said he expected the President's veto to override objections in Congress but that conditions would indeed be attached to renewal of MFN. Those Congressman accompanying Foley expressed concerns about Fuman Rights (the coercive abortion programme and political prisoners, as well as Tianamen Square); possible Iran/China collusion over nuclear weapons; and the fact that China now has the third largest bilateral trade surplus with the US. The PUS could say:
Renewal by US Government of MFN status for China is of great importance to Rong Kong;
Warmly welcome recent decision by President Bush to renew MFN unconditionally. Also efforts by US Administration to secure renewal;
POIAAJ
CONFIDENTIAL
1
Contibution