TNAG-1896-FCO40-2690-Calls-on-Francis-Maude--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1989 — Page 126

for

Contacts between political parties would not constitute recognition of the Taiwanese authorities, but there could still be a risk of embarrassment in our

long-term relations with Peking if the admission of the Kuomintang to the IDU were to lead to highly publicised

contacts between British Ministers and their Taiwanese

counterparts. Thus, it would not, I think, be in our interest for the Prime Minister to be photographed with Taiwanese leaders at the IDU meeting in Tokyo in September; nor for us to be seen as among their sponsors for international "recognition".

I gather from your conversation with Anthony Teasdale that the Germans, and possibly some others, share these reservations. This is confirmed by the

result of such inquiries as I have been able to make. I

suggest therefore that on your arrival in Vancouver you should concert with the CDU/CSU representatives.

If you find yourself in good company, I would advise that you vote against the admission of the KMT. If however, you find no support for a negative vote, I hope that you can

· agree that the best course would be to abstain.

Anthony will try to be in touch with you before you leave to give you a little more about the background to all this.

Your sincerely.

Richard Some (Rival Sevety)

GEOFFREY HOWE

(who wrote this letter before departère for Hoy kong)