SECRET
005417 MDHOAN 0190
HIS TUR ARE WELL TAKEN. IT IS CLEAR THAT ANY DECISION NOT TO PROCEED WITH THE VISIT WILL BE, IN EFFECT, A CANCELLATION. I DO NOT MYSELF THINK THIS WILL HAPPEN. BUT THE SECRETARY OF STATE WISHES TO KEEP HIS OPTIONS AS OPEN AS POSSIBLE IN CASE DEVELOPMENTS BETWEEN NOW AND NEXT WEEK SUGGEST THAT WE REALLY ARE HEADING INTO AN IMPASSE WITH THE CHINESE. I WAIT WITH INTEREST TO SEE WHETHER THE PEKING TUR STIMULATES ANY FURTHER REACTION FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S PARTY IN MOSCOW.
5. THE HONG KONG STANDARD ARTICLE OWES NOTHING TO BRIEFINGS IN LONDON. NEWS DEPARTMENT ARE REFUSING TO BE DRAWN ON WHEN AN ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE (THOUGH THEY ARE OBTAINING DETAILS OF JOURNALISTS' PASSPORTS ON A CONTINGENCY BASIS).
HURD
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
3
NO DISTRIBUTION
HD/HKD
NNNN
DISTRIBUTION
3
HD/FED
MR BURNS
PAGE 2 SECRET
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.