CONFIDENTIAL
044647
MDLIAN 3201
AND CHINESE PERSONALITIES. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A FURTHER HIGH LEVEL APPROACH TO THE CHINESE IN ADVANCE, EXPLAINING THE STRICT LIMITS OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR, OR POSSIBLE INFLUENCE OVER, THE COMMITTEE. (WE SHOULD INCIDENTALLY ALSO POINT OUT THE EVEN MORE DAMAGING CONSEQUENCES OF SEEMING TO RESTRICT OR OBSTRUCT THE ENQUIRY). IT MIGHT BE THE KIND OF POINT WHICH THE SECRETARY OF STATE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET ACROSS FIRMLY WITH QIAN QICHEN, PERHAPS AT THE TOKYO FUNERAL. WE COULD ADD THAT H M G WILL HAVE
A CHANCE TO PUT THE RECORD STRAIGHT IF NECESSARY IN OBSERVATIONS THEY MAY MAKE ON THE FAC'S REPORT AFTER ITS PUBLICATION.
8. FINALLY I HOPE IF AT ALL POSSIBLE WE CAN AVOID EMBASSY SPOKESMEN HERE GIVING FORMAL EVIDENCE ON CHINESE ATTITUDES AND MOTIVES IN RESPECT OF HONG KONG. IF THE F A C NEED AN EXPLANATION OF OUR MECHANICAL ROLE IN THE PROCESS OF NEGOTIATIONS AND CONSULTATIONS PERHAPS THIS COULD BE INCLUDED IN WRITTEN EVIDENCE PROVIDED BY THE F CO.
DONALD
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