TNAG-1880-FCO40-2671-Student-demonstrations-and-internal-political-situation-in-C-1989 — Page 70

CONFIDENTIAL

аквого 14

168

124111

MDHOAN 4933

Entur PA

CONFIDENTIAL

FM FCO

TO DESKBY 14180OZ WASHINGTON

TELNO 1308

OF 141145Z JULY 89

INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, HONG KONG, BTC HONG KONG

165

FROM FED

YOUR TELNO 1868 AND PEKING TELNO 1351: CABLE AND WIRELESS INTEREST IN ASIASAT

1. WE AGREE WITH THE ADVICE IN PEKING TUR THAT, ON BALANCE, WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO SUPPORT CABLE AND WIRELESS' PARTICIPATION IN

THE ASIASAT PROJECT. WE ALSO AGREE ON THE NEED FOR CARE TO AVOID

ANY PUBLICITY.

2. PLEASE TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY OF YOUR BREAKFAST WITH

EAGLEBURGER ON 14 JULY TO PUT ACROSS THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE:

HOWE

-

WE RECOGNISE THAT THE DECISION TO RELEASE ASIASAT FOR

LAUNCH ON A CHINESE ROCKET IS ENTIRELY A MATTER FOR THE US

ADMINISTRATION.

IN ADDRESSING THE QUESTION HOWEVER WE HOPE THAT THE

ADMINISTRATION WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE

TO BRITISH COMMERCIAL INTEREST WHICH COULD RESULT FROM DELAY

IN RELEASE OF THE SATELLITE.

- NO COUNTRY HAS BEEN MORE FORTHRIGHT THAN BRITAIN IN

CONDEMNING THE ACTION OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.

- BUT WE ARE ALL AGREED THAT WE SHOULD NOT STAND IN THE WAY

OF NORMAL COMMERCIAL BUSINESS.

-

-

WE RECOGNISE THAT THE LAUNCH WILL BE HIGH PROFILE AND WILL

BE USED BY CHINA FOR PROPAGANDA PURPOSES.

- BUT THE LAUNCH WILL NOT BE UNTIL APRIL 1990 AND WE HAVE

ALREADY DECIDED IN COCOM THAT THE EXPORT CONSTITUTES NO

STRATEGIC THREAT TO WESTERN INTERESTS.

WE HAVE NO DIFFICULTY WITH A CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE DELAY:

BUT WE HOPE THE EVENTUAL DECISION WILL BE POSITIVE.

YYYY

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