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there was an interesting divergence of opinion between
officials and journalists. The US Embassy view was that the
President had enough support in both Houses to push through MFN
without conditions, the journalists (and also a representative of a public relations consultancy whom I met separately) were
of the view that the President was in trouble in the Senate.
At their request, I briefed them on anti-smuggling measures in Hong Kong and on VMs, with a ritual plea to the Americans that mandatory repatriation must recommence, and comment that first asylum was under pressure. My impression was that their Embassy in Peking was much less sympathetic to and/or apprised of our cause than the local Consulate-General.
Comment
20.
This was a useful and informative visit.
It also gave
me the opportunity to brief directly officials who do not have
regular contact with HKG. Some of my interlocutors were plainly ill-informed about the detail, which illustrates the need for us to maintain regular contacts with a wide variety of
Chinese officials.
N.D. Moalies
(N. D. Moakes) APA (S) 19.6.91
CC:
DPA
S for S (Attn: Ian Strachan)
RC
D of Imm
CP
(Attn: John Sheppard)
Mr. Brooking, Peking
Mr. Cox, HKD, FCO
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