RESTRICTED
FM WASHINGTON
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 961
OF 28234OZ APRIL 93
INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
RESTRICTED
HKB 091/1
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
30 APR 1993
DESK OFFICER INDEX
REGISTRY
PA
Action Taken
Miss
INFO PRIORITY PEKING
PA MEN.
YOUR TELNO 425: US/CHINA
SUMMARY
64014516
(64) 014516
MDHIAN 8938
Are Bunten 2a/k.
Ars by 291 for Whitney 24/4
ра
J29/4
29/4
1.
ADMINISTRATION STILL WORKING ON AN APPROACH WHICH WILL ENABLE THEM TO ANNOUNCE RENEWAL FOR ONE YEAR IN JUNE, WITH CONDITIONS FOR RENEWAL IN JUNE 1994. THE KEY WILL BE THE NATURE OF THE CONDITIONS. THEY ARE URGING THE CHINESE TO DO MORE TO ADDRESS US CONCERNS. THEY HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH KEY PLAYERS ON THE HILL, AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO.
DETAIL
2. WE HAVE KEPT IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH STATE AND NSC IN ADVANCE OF THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT, AND HAVE BEEN OVER THE GROUND AGAIN WITH THEM IN THE LIGHT OF PAAL'S COMMENTS. PAAL HAS GOT IT WRONG.
3. AS WE HAVE OURSELVES REPORTED COUR TELNO 551), LAKE IS A HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND IS INCLINED TO TAKE A HARDER LINE THAN OTHER
SENIOR OFFICIALS. BUT, AS LORD TOLD SIR JOHN COLES, THE AIM IS TO USE MFN AS LEVERAGE OVER THE CHINESE TO GET THEM TO MAKE MORE
CONCESSIONS BEFORE THE END OF MAY WITHOUT ACTUALLY LOSING MFN
ITSELF. NO-ONE HERE WANTS THAT.
b =
W
AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, THE DEPUTIES COMMITTEE (WHICH INCLUDES THE NSC) DISCUSSED CHINA/MFN ON 27 APRIL. THEY ENDORSED THE LORD STRATEGY, AND AGREED A BASIC FRAMEWORK FOR US POLICY. WE HAVE OBTAINED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE A COPY OF THIS FROM STATE (BY FAX TO HONG KONG AND THE DEPARTMENT). THE PAPER INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS: I) THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD WORK CLOSELY WITH CONGRESS ON A POLICY BOTH CAN SUPPORT: II) CONDITIONING MEN CAN BE A USEFUL
TOOL, BUT REVOKING IT WOULD HURT THE WRONG PEOPLE IN CHINA, AMERICAN BUSINESS INTERESTS, AND HONG KONG: III) THE ADMINISTRATION STRATEGY IS TO USE MFN RENEWAL AS LEVERAGE ON THE CHINESE.
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