TNAG-2244-FCO40-3225-Most-favoured-nation-status-for-China-impact-on-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 235

PS/Mr Lennox-Boyd

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FROM:

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DA Burns

090/9

North America Dept

27 June 1991

CALL ON 1 JULY BY JOINT US SENATE/CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BRITISH-AMERICAN PARLIAMENTARY GROUP (BAPG)

1.

The Secretary of State will receive Speaker Foley, Senator Byrd and members of the US delegation in the India Office Council Chamber (10.00-10.45) and host a lunch for them at Carlton Gardens (12.15 for 12.45).

2.

The meeting and lunch (at which the Secretary of State will be flanked by Messrs Foley and Byrd), and the

delegation's meeting with the Prime Minister on 2 July, will provide an exceptional opportunity to put across our views on issues on which top opinion on the Hill is important. Lord Caithness will reinforce the Hong Kong points at breakfast on 3 July.

3.

4.

Our prime objectives will be to:

emphasise Hong Kong's difficulties over Vietnamese migrants; the need for an early solution; and the need for support on the Hill for our efforts to establish an internationally managed centre in Vietnam;

- stress the potential damage to Hong Kong's economy,

and US interests and investment, of non-renewal of MFN status for China;

encourage lifting of US sanctions against South Africa.

I submit:

- A "memory jogger" for the Secretary of State's use;

Notes on Speaker Foley and Senator Byrd (joint leaders);

A delegation list with foreign policy interests;

The delegation programme;

The US domestic political scene;

- US foreign policy concerns; and

Defensive material on oral snuff (Congressman Rose is from North Carolina tobacco country).

NB 3 ACD

RESTRICTED

D A Burns

SEA