TNAG-0741-FCO40-945-Relations-between-China-and-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 32

Mr Masefield FED

CHINA:

CONFIDENTIAL

HKK Odol!

INDEX

14 1973

PA

1 Mo 15. Mir t

SALE OF HARRIER AIRCRAFT

3D

1 Your minute of 12 April to Mr Marshall.

Et al PA

113/4

33

2 It is very difficult for us to comment from the US point of view until we know (as you say in para 6 of your minute) what the Chinese might want the Harrier for; whether it will be used offensively, and if it would be stationed on the Russo/Chinese border. The Americans may well regard the Harrier as breaking new technological ground in Asia, and thus offending against President Carter's criteria for conventional arms transfers. I think we must accept the inevitability of US objections to the sale of Harrier

to China, and we must therefore consider how important these objections would be to us. Are there countervailing advantages which would persuade us to go ahead with the sale?

3 The only possible doubts about the American attitude centre on US/Soviet relations. In certain circumstances it is just possible that the US might welcome an increase in Chinese military strength. Dr Brzezinski is reported to have said, for example, that Sino/Soviet rivalry was important for the West and that, for strategic reasons, the West ought to help to meet Chinese arms needs (FCO telegram no 706 of 17 March to Washington). With these points in mind, I would like to suggest the following changes in the text of the draft DOP paper.

Para 7:

Para 9:

Para 9(b):

Following Para 9

Add to the 4th sentence - "and, even if it were, conservative elements in the Congress would be certain to raise very strong objections."

-

"Against

Insert following first sentence this background the present US Administration is unlikely to look favourably on the sale of Harriers to China. In this case, the Americans would have a number of ways.......

Add a 3rd sentence as follows "The Embassy's advice is that, while this Act is still on the Statute Book, the Americans would be more likely to use COCOM machinery than the powers under the Battle Act."

Insert new paragraph as follows -

"It is the view of the Embassy in Washington that it is essential for us to consult the Americans at an early stage and in such a way as not to appear to be presenting them with a fait accompli."

/Para 19

AANTUTEN SUMENTKARTAT