TNAG-1394-FCO40-1866-Future-of-Hong-Kong-interest-from-other-countries-1985 — Page 18

CONFIDENTIAL

small issue overshadow what we can offer on the

rest.

May genuinely or wilfully magnify

significance of differences of style (eg chronic

British "caution");

French/German attitudes to us generally affected

by many variables including domestic politics,

their appreciation of our Government's performance

even in areas that do not affect them directly

(e.g. labour relations), the views of third

parties and our behaviour in the wider world;

French and German views of how far a relationship

of "three equals" should be allowed to develop

overall may despite all the points in III a)

above differ in last resort from our own.

Compulsion to defend "uniqueness" of the original

axis, concern about the effect of a "triangle" on

others etc etc.

ii) The choice of approaches.

carefully between cases for

Need to distinguish

bilateral handling with one or both partners

discreet triangular approach

mobilisation of a larger "inner group'

#!

playing it by the rules in larger groupings

giving priority to a partner(s) outside Europe

keeping complete freedom of manoeuvre for Britain.

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