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MDHIAN 131
5. THE EMBASSY DID NOT MENTION THE LETTER FROM PRESIDENT CLINTON TO
JIANG ZEMIN.
COMMENT
6. THE VISIT MAY HAVE BEEN AS INSUBSTANTIAL AS THESE BRIEFINGS SUGGEST. WE ARE NOT CLEAR WHY THE AMERICANS FIXED IT AT A TIME WHEN QIAN QICHEN WAS OUT OF THE COUNTRY. THEY MAY HAVE WISHED MERELY TO UNDERLINE THEIR AGENDA BEFORE MFN DECISIONS ARE TAKEN, LEAVING EFFORTS TO ENGAGE IN MORE SERIOUS DIALOGUE UNTIL LATER.
7. ON THE CHINESE SIDE OFFICIAL MEDIA COVERAGE REMAINS VERY
CONCILIATORY TOWARDS THE US. THE MFA SPOKESMAN DECLINED TO BE DRAWN INTO ANY SPECIFIC CRITICISM OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S MEETING WITH THE DALAI LAMA. THERE HAS BEEN SPECULATION THAT A MAJOR HUMAN RIGHTS GESTURE MAY BE ON THE CARDS, EG EARLY RELEASE OF WEI JINGSHENG. BUT IF THE CHINESE HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT MEN RENEWAL NEXT YEAR WILL BE CONDITIONAL ANYWAY, THEY MAY JUDGE IT BETTER TO KEEP A FEW SHOTS IN THEIR LOCKER.
MCLAREN
YYYY
DISTRIBUTION
159
MAIN
148
.CHINA POLITICAL
FED
UND
LEGAL ADVISERS
PUSD
INFO D
CONSULAR D
CRD
EASD/ODA//MR MOSSELMANS
EASD/ODA//MR MCCLEAN
ECD (E)
ECONOMIC ADVISERS
CFSP UNIT
ERD
PAGE
SAD
SEAD
PS
PS/BARONESS CHALKER
PS/MR GOODLAD
PS/PUS
MR LANKESTER
MR APPLEYARD
CHIEF CLERK
COLES
SIR J
MR AINSCOW
MR ALSTON
SIR M BURTON
MR HUM
2
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