WILL THE AID PROGRAMME CONTINUE?
Our technical cooperation with China consists largely of people-to- people exchanges particularly the training of Chinese students in the UK, which we would not wish to suspend at present. But we shall keep the position under review.
We shall be reviewing as a matter of urgency the question of projects being considered under HMG's concessional financing arrangements and are liaising closely with our major trading partners on such issues.
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
We shall consult closely with Partners further assistance to China from International Financial Institutions (including World Bank and Asian Development Bank).
EC ACTION?
-
The Political Committee are discussing the matter today. Understand that the EC/China Joint Commission meeting on 5 June broke up, with Chinese participants unwilling to go ahead in view of proposed EC statement condemning the violence used in Peking. Proposed meeting between M Delors and Chinese Minister for Foreign Trade Relations did not take place.
UN ACTION?
The following statement was issued on 5 June on behalf of the UN Secretary General:
"The Secretary General is greatly saddened that it was necessary to resort to force in Beijing over the week-end and that, as a result, many civilian lives were lost. The Secretary General is most mindful of the Charter's requirement that the United Nations should abstain from intervention in regard to matters that are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of states.
He very much hopes, however, that utmost restraint will be exercised in the difficult situation that prevails."
Would not see this as a matter for consideration by the Security Council, for the reasons spelt out in the Secretary General's statement. The Security Council normally addressses itself only to conflicts between states, which might lead to a
to a threat to international peace and stability.
AS 3AAU/2
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.