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DSR 11C
to your visit right.
Humphrey Atkins' visit will be an
important link. As I see it, he should not try to pre-empt
any substantive discussions which you may have. There is
always a risk of scaring the Chinese off by pushing them too
fast. But he should try to establish whether there have bee
any shifts in Chinese thinking since we last tackled them and
to see what line they would be likely to take with you.
He will alsobe able to talk the matter over with
Murray MacLehose and with theЛAmbassador in Peking and discus
the whole question with me on return. I would then put our
views to you and perhaps at that stage suggest a line for
the handling of your visit which could be discussed with
colleagues in OD or some other suitable forum.
5.
It would be very helpful to know whether you agree
with this general plan and in particular to have before
1
X
Christmas your views on what Humphrey Atkins might say
about your Far East visit. This will enable him to get
his line sorted out before he leaves on 2 January.
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