TNAG-2294-FCO40-3308-Visit-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1991 — Page 9

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Argument

3.

A visit in April should not cause quite the same hostility as the one by Mr Maude last year, because that visit coincided with a statement from the Chinese about the Nationality Act (itself prompted by the announcement in London of Royal Assent) and preceded a general lifting of Western measures post-Tiananmen Square. But the visit will be made controversial by the following:-

4.

(a)

(b)

Controversy over the Dalai Lama. His visit takes place from 17-22 March. Any discussion of China this month is bound to include discussion of Tibet. We have some reasonable arguments to deploy (see separate submission - attached).

Human rights. The trials continue. We have made our views known in fairly robust terms. Human rights' abuses should not be a reason for not visiting the country concerned and pressing our arguments in person. Some Chinese officials are now showing a willingness to talk about human rights. Much will depend on how we raise human rights/Tibet with the Chinese in the talks themselves. We shall have to confirm in advance that we intend to raise these subjects, and we must present the outcome very carefully afterwards. We shall submit further on this point.

(c) Deng Xiaoping's reported threats of possible

intervention (or why we should never have given away Hong Kong). Many commentators start from the premise that the Joint Declaration was a mistake. But we cannot undo history. Nor can

we tow Hong Kong into the Pacific. Any

discussion of how to help Hong Kong must start from the present realities and our determination to make the Joint Declaration work.

It follows that we cannot expect to put across a case for a visit to Peking on its own. We must put forward a persuasive argument about why so much hangs on getting our relations with China right and why it makes no sense to stand by the Joint Declaration and not do everything possible to make it work.

Timing of Announcement

5. Mr Cornish has suggested a high-profile launch to the campaign, with a speech or article by the Secretary of State in a leading newspaper. But we cannot do this until we have formally approached the Chinese and got their agreement. Once preparations start in Peking, the news is likely to get

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out quite quickly. But the timing of a formal announcement must depend on a number of facts, including security considerations and Chinese agreement. The normal thing would be to make an announcement early in the week beginning

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25 March ie, after the Dalai Lama's visit. This could look a bit suspicious to our critics, but would reduce the danger of mischief-making by Lord Ennals and co. On the other hand, this would somewhat hobble our presentation and make it difficult for supportive Hong Kongers to speak up until the last minute. The alternative would be to make a brief announcement next week, before the Dalai Lama arrives, leaving the detail to be made known only at the time of the visit. I recommend that we try for this, but, if the Chinese make difficulties, then agree to defer an announcement

until later.

We should avoid an announcement during the

Dalai Lama's visit.

6. We must keep the Chinese closely in touch as preparations for the visit develop. We do not want them to be given the impression (eg, by reading indiscreet press articles resulting from this exercise) that the Secretary of State is going to China to lecture their leaders. Equally, the Chinese must be made aware of the political realities behind the Secretary of State's decision to go. should come through us and not from tetchy presentation in the media. The Chinese Ambassador in London may have a role to play.

Media

This message

7. Lord Caithness is already engaged in a weekly series of one-to-one lunches with such journalists as Ray Whittaker (Independent), David Wallen (Scotsman), and Michael Binyon (Times). He is also planning some "brainstorming" dinners/lunches with academics and writers, to which other serious journalists will be invited (the first is on

13 March). Departments and I will continue to keep in touch. with our Asian contacts on the main papers. (Mr McLaren has already briefed Mr Ronald Spark (Sun) and I will try to see him again before the visit.)

8.

The Governor is lunching with The Independent on

8 March, but will not have time for other interviews before he leaves for Germany next week.

9. News Department should offer the usual unattributable briefing by an Under-Secretary (with Mr McLaren, HMA-designate Peking, if he is free) to the Diplomatic Correspondents and others shortly before the visit takes place. Quite a number may want to go out to Peking and Hong Kong, as they did to Hong Kong in January 1990. Their reports will be influential. We shall also, with News Department, be working up written briefing material and bullpoints for interviews etc.

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