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(£) We talked briefly about the Asia Working Group itself and the disappointing standards of attendance and discussion.
Dr Zeller reverted to an idea agreed with Mr Levitte and Mr Burns to the effect that once in each presidency there would be a special occasion designed to attract Asia directors themselves. It would be best if each presidency would identify a single theme, or possibly two, and after a certain amount of preparation. set up a properly focused meeting. Dr Zeller appeared to like my idea that the discussion might be continued over lunch, without notetakers and therefore without national attribution.
(g) On Indo-Pakistan relations, Dr Zeller said that German experts were also talking to the Indians about non-proliferation.
(h) On Afghanistan, Dr Zeller agreed that there was no point in even considering any sort of initiative at this stage. He said that he would be very willing to ask his people to make available a room or rooms for us on the German premises in Kabul for the use of British visitors from Islamabad, if our plans for retaining part of the embassy compound were not to work out.
3.
Discussion of subjects in Mr Hum's area took place over lunch. The following were the key points-to emerge:
(a) Mr Hum briefed Dr Zeller on Hong Kong. The latter said that the Germans had on occasion spoken quietly to the Chinese about the need to preserve the systems there. He was encouraged to keep up the good work.
(b)
There was agreement that we should work for a more substantial common EC policy on China, without at this stage lifting the remaining measures imposed after Tiananmen.
The Germans are being usefully active in exchanges with China over human rights. Dr Zeller seemed to regard German flirtation with the idea of military sales to Taiwan as something of an aberration, which he did not expect to recur.
(c) Dr Zeller expressed some scepticism about the efficacy of a "carrot and stick" approach to North Korea, without being very specific about possible alternative policies.
4.
We agreed to keep in touch, and to meet again in due course
in Bonn.
5.
Relevant parts of the record are being copied to the posts and departments listed at the end of the record.
J. T. Latif
J T Masefield
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