TNAG-2185-FCO40-3122-Ethnic-minorities-in-Hong-Kong-1990 — Page 143

7. Are other European nations sharing your reservations about German unification?

I am sure that many had the same concerns as I did. But I hope that the creation of this new group has allayed them. But I would like particularly to emphasise that this 214 group is not meant to be exclusive. We are going to great lengths to consult our partners and allies in the EC and NATO at each state of the discussions.

8.

Had you anticipated the sweeping changes in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe and also the pace at which these changes have been taking place?

Nobody could have predicted the pace and scale of the changes that have occurred. President Gorbachev had the vision to realise that sweeping economic and political reforms were essential and the determination to push these through. We fully support his courageous efforts and hope it will be possible to pursue them in a climate of stability and co-operation.

In Eastern Europe, we were aware that the regimes had almost no popular support, and there were signs of change coming people were, for instance, losing their fear of the authorities, and beginning to believe that President Gorbachev really meant what he said about letting them go their own way. But the speed of the changes took us by surprise as it did the East Europeans themselves.

9.

Do you think President Gorbachev had anticipated or wanted the changes to be at such a fast pace?

Inevitably a revolution of the sort President Gorbachev is undertaking moves faster than some would wish. The pace of change has been dictated in part by force of circumstance, and by events both within and outside the Soviet Union. But, more important, it has very clearly been President Gorbachev who has set the direction in which the reform process is moving.

10.

It there a danger of a conservative backlash which could threaten President Gorbachev's position as well as political reforms in the Soviet Union? Now when President Gorbachev has acquired more powers, will he go ahead with the reforms or will he slow down?

It is always possible that rapid change in any country will lead to what you describe as a conservative backlash. But there is no sign of President Gorbachev's opponents having a coherent alternative to perestroika. The President's new powers are likely to ensure that future reforms will go ahead, but at a pace over which he has more control.

INVABP