TNAG-1879-FCO40-2670-Student-demonstrations-and-internal-political-situation-in-C-1989 — Page 57

CONFIDENTIAL

Prime Minister may wish to emphasise that the

British Government, like the British people, have been

appalled by the brutal suppression of peaceful

demonstrations in Peking and by the subsequent

persecution of those demanding their democratic rights.

She may wish to explain the steps taken by the British

Government to register our outrage at the action of the

Chinese authorities: the cancellation of Ministerial

visits to and from China; the suspension of high-level

military contacts and a ban on arms sales.

The Prime Minister will also be able to describe the

condemnation of the Chinese Government by the Madrid

European Council. If appropriate, you may wish to

arrange for the delegation to be given copies of the

statement on China issued by the Council.

however wish to explain that it is not for governments to

propose resolutions in the European Parliament.

She may

The delegation may also ask about action to censure

the Chinese Government in other international fora,

notably the UN. The Prime Minister may wish to explain

that the Secretary General of the UN has already issued

statement expressing his great sadness at the use of

force against demonstrations in Peking. He has appealed

to the Chinese to use the utmost restraint. But he is

inhibited by the requirement of the Charter that the

United Nations should abstain from intervention in regard

to matters that are essentially within the domestic

CONFIDENTIAL