Classification
SECRET
OUT TELEGRAM
ZCZC
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ZCZC
TC
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SECRET
CAVEAT
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FM
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FM FCO
ΤΟ
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TO DESKBY 152330Z HONG KONG
TELNO
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TELNO
OF
7
OF 15130OZ JAN 91
AND TO
00
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INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
Caveat
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PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM MCLAREN, DUSS
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PEKING
PERSONAL FOR AMBASSADOR
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YOUR TELNO 141: PADS: GULF
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miss Marsden, HKD).
Precedence
DESKBY 152330Z
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1. Like you, I am not attracted to the idea of your returning
to London for consultations hext week instead of going to
Peking, and for much the same reasons. In particular:
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(a) Cancellation would be seen by the Chinese as an attempt to put pressure on them and would thus add to the problems of "face" to which Alan Donald refers in Peking telno 39.
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(b) It is far from clear that raising the stakes in this way
would increase the chances of finding a satisfactory way
forward. It might have the opposite effect.
(c) Ministers are, as you say, heavily preoccupied by the Gulf.
With the best will in the world, a meeting with the Secretary
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MAIN
File number
ADDITIONAL
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Catchword: of
Dept
DUSS
Drafted by (Block capitals)
RJT MCLAREN
Telephone no
270 2156
Date/time
1515162
Telegram number
Processed by
Authorised for Intials
despatch by:
For COD Comcen reference use only
Bas 270224/8107414 50m 3/88 P
YFB6