7
Officials renewed informal discussions with French officials
on 20 October. The French said that the Chinese have asked for
separate bids from Alsthom and Framatome.
Exclusive
And
GEC/Framatome co-operation could not be contemplated unless the
Chinese specifically requested such a bid. Although the French
were concerned about the implications of price and credit
competition for the conventional island business, they maintained
that they were responding to the requests of the customer.
it would be difficult for the French Government publicly to
indicate any willingness to exclude Alsthom: Alsthom have a
substantial plant at Belfort in the electoral area which M
Chevenement represented until recently. However, in discussion
with my officials and GEC, Framatome have said that they would
prefer to work with GEC.
8 Despite this negative response at official level, I consider
we should press the advantages of a GEC/Framatome exclusivity
agreement to our opposite numbers at the Anglo-French summit
since the arguments for Anglo-French co-operation are very
strong. However, it is still possible that US policy on nuclear
exports to China could change rapidly for wider political
reasons. To discard the Anglo/American option would deprive UK
industry of an important chance of using the project to build up
its PWR capacity and experience and of obtaining a foothold in
export markets: only if we are able to secure an exclusive
agreement with the French should we close the door on the
American option.