TNAG-1299-FCO40-1655-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1984 — Page 142

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CONFIDENTIAL

ACCORDING TO THE JAPANESE, THERE WERE 150 SS20 MISSILES IN THE FAR EAST, AND THE NUMBER WAS INCREASING. THESE OBSTACLES POSED A REAL THREAT TO CHINESE SECURITY SEMICOLON AND IF THE RUSSIANS

WERE NOT PREPARED TO TAKE EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO REMOVE EVEN ONE OF THEM, THE NORMALISATION OF RELATIONS WAS IMPOSSIBLE.

THE THREE OBSTACLES WOULD BE RAISED WITH ARKHIPOV IN MAY.

WU HAD OFFERED TO MEET GROMYKO EITHER BEFORE OR DURING THE GENERAL

ASSEMBLY, BUT AS YET THERE HAD BEEN NO SOVIET REPLY.

3. ON ARMS CONTROL, WU SAID THAT THE CHINESE UNDERSTOOD THE

REASONS FOR INF DEPLOYMENT, BUT WERE CONCERNED AT THE

ABSENCE OF NUCLEAR ARMS CONTROL TALKS. THEY FAVOURED AN

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, ATTENDED BY ALL NUCLEAR POWERS. IN CONCLUSION, WU COMMENTED THAT WE COULD

EXPECT NO DRAMATIC CHANGE IN SINO-SOVIET RELATIONS.

EVANS

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

COPIES TO:

ED/PLANNING STAFF

ED/PUSD

D/ED/PUSD

PES.3. (R TALKER)

LEGAL ADVISER (MR FREELAND).

PS

PS/LADY YOUNG

PS/R. LUCE

PS/FUS

SER J SULLARD

SOR WEAPDING

MR WILSON

KR FRIGET

STR C TICKELL

-2-

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF 1SE COUNCIL

PS/HOME SECRETARY

PS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL

PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY

COPIES TO: (VIA ADR)

MR ROBERTS FEAS D

HR BURROWS LEGAL ADVS

MR COLES NO 10 DOWNING ST

MR MARTIN ASSESSMENT STAFF CABINET OFFICE

MR GOODALL CABINET OF

MR 3RENAN CABINET

PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE D

PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL

SIR P CRADOCK BY K195

SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING STREET

CONFIDENTIAL