UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION
MESSAGE
From:
The Italian Prime Minister, Senator Giulio Andreotti The Prime Minister, The Rt Hon John Major, MP
Date: 17th September, 1991
To:
Dear John,
Thank you for the information and considerations contain- message, which will prove particularly useful to that I too shall have with the Chinese leadership
ed in your kind
me in the contacts
in Peking this week.
First of all I wish to reassure you that Italy has always recognized how fundamentally important it is that China honours the pledges undertaken to guarantee a smooth transition of sovereignty over Hong Kong and to upkeep the stability, prosperity and freedom of that territory.
my
Indeed, in the course of my visit to Peking, it is intention to reiterate how in Our view the future of Hong Kong is not only the concern of the United Kingdom, but of
of the entire European Community, since it represents a key element in the assessment of China's willingness to pursue a policy of openness of its economy and of development of the cooperation with Western' democracies.
I too will raise the question of human rights, to impress upon our interlocutors that progress in this field is needed if they hope for a lasting improvement in their relations with Italy. and the European Community.
Lastly, I share your belief that, in order to influence the Chinese leadership, it is necessary to develop direct contacts with them. I am convinced that, given the power structure existing in Peking, it is essential to maintain contacts at the highest level to ensure that a clear and effective message reaches those who actually control the country. As you rightly say, China today plays an irre- placeable role in world politics and cooperation with its leadership appears necessary. This would not only benefit the management of and give renewed impetus to the United Nations actions, it would also promote specific initiatives, important for the preserv- ation of peace, for example in the
the fields of non-proliferation and that of armament systems transfer controls.
crises
cont.d
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