AFGHANISTAN/CAMBODIA
6.
Huang Hua said that China hoped its friends in Europe would not allow the Soviet Union to escape from its present predicaments in Afghanistan and Cambodia (Lord Carrington added, 'and Poland'). China believed it was necessary to support the resistance forces in those countries. It was also important to support Pakistan and Thailand which were crucial to the maintenance of stability in their regions. China believed that the European countries were in a position to help both Pakistan and Thailand. He had discussed the matter with Muskie who had said that the Americans were giving what help they could, not always directly. He had put the same point to Barre in Strasbourg; he too had agreed about the need to support resistance forces in Afghanistan. Huang Hua had the impression that the French were now playing a more active role than in the past. Lord Carrington said that the British government would continue to be active. He would be talking to President Zia next week. But China also had an important role to play. Huang Hua said that the Chinese were doing what they could. But they were poor, and backward in military technology. The Afghan resistance forces needed anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapons; those which the Chinese could supply were simply not sophisticated enough.
SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT
7.
Lord Carrington asked whether he might pay his postponed visit early next year. He would be happy to go at a time when the Chinese were not preoccupied with other visitors; the weather was not the most important consideration. indicated that Lord Carrington would be welcome at any time. He renewed the invitation to the Prime Minister to visit China issued by Premier Hua during his visit.
8.
The conversation ended at 3.10 pm.
Huang Hua
FAR EASTERN DEPARTMENT
6 OCTOBER 1980
DISTRIBUTION:
Private Secretary PS/Lord Privy Seal PS/Mr Blaker
PS/PUS
Sir E Youde
Sir J Graham
Mr Donald
FED
LHKGD
MAED
JNU
Sir Murray MacLehose, Hong Kong Sir Percy Cradock, Peking
SECRET
}
Page 15Page 16
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.