TNAG-2243-FCO40-3224-Most-favoured-nation-status-for-China-impact-on-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 82

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Mr Paul, HKD

Paul

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Hikis 090/4

Mr Stre

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Hong Kong : MFN Status for China : Prime Ministerial Message

The Secretary of State was grateful for your minute of 22 May. He thinks that a message from the Prime Minister would overload the circuit just now (the Prime Minister has very recently sent messages about VBPS and European security). Like Sir J Coles and Lord Caithness, the Secretary of State is not sure that conditionality for 1992 would be disastrous.

The Secretary of State therefore thinks that he should send a message to Baker (it may well be that the draft to the Prime Minister can be sent with minimal amendment). The Secretary of State also thinks that we should ask Mr Wall to tell Scowcroft of the Prime Minister's concern (although I think this has been overtaken by the Prime Minister's conversation with President Bush). And most importantly the Secretary of State thinks that the Embassy should be active on the Hill and especially with Senators. The Secretary of State would be willing to send messages to any individual recommended by the Embassy. Separately, as you will have seen, No 10 have told us that the Prime Minister would be willing to write to key individuals. You have agreed to consult the Embassy in Washington.

28 May 1991

cc: Sir J Coles

PS/Lord Caithness Mr Burns

Mr Burns, NAD Mr Davies, FED Mr Bone, ERD

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(S Gass)

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