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DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)
Minister were to receive his group, she would risk being
drawn into the conflicts and rivalries within the Chinese
student community. This would reduce the impact of such
a symbolic gesture. Mr Yakup might instead be offered a
call in in the Far Eastern Department of the FCO.
Unclassified
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
It would be more appropriate for the Prime Minister
to offer to receive a delegation from the Chinese
Students and Scholars Association. There is however a
risk that such an offer would embarrass the leadership of
the Association who must be concerned about the effect of
their political activities in Britain on their own
careers and on their families in China. There have been
reports that the Chinese Embassy have sought to
intimidate Chinese students in Britain, although the
Chinese Chargé denied this when he called on Mr Gillmore
on 12 June. There is no collateral
to substantiate the allegations against the Embassy.
Even if leaders of the Association agreed to call on the
Prime Minister, they might not be prepared to speak
openly. Nonetheless, we consider that the offer of a
call should be made. The Prime Minister's expression of
personal interest would doubtless be much appreciated.
An alternative would be for the Prime Minister to
invite to No. 10 the organisers of the candle-lit vigil
outside the Chinese Embassy over the weekend. Two ad ho
organisations were involved "Chinese Solidarity" and the
"Chinese Students Emergency Coordination Group". Both
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