30-APR-1992 12:04
FCO NEWS DEPT
071 270 3734
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SECRETARY OF STATE TO VISIT PORTUGAL
Spokesman announced that the Rt Hon Douglas Hurd CBE MP, Secretary of State for For gn and Commonwealth Affairs, would visit Portugal on 1-2 May to attend an informal meeting of EC Foreign Ministers.
EASTERN EUROPEAN AND FORMER SOVIET DIPLOMATS TO ATTEND DIPLOMATIC TRAINING COURSE IN UK
Spokesman announced that sixty two young diplomats from Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union were to attend a diplomatic training course at Leeds University from 6 May 31 July. The course was being funded from the British Government's Know How Fund.
The group was drawn from the countries of Eastern and Central Europe and the Baltic States and included for the first time diplomats from all the countries of the former Soviet Union. Although the course would be held at Leeds University, the diplomats would also visit Strasbourg and Brussels and spend a week in London, including two days at the Foreign and Commonwealth office.
This was the second course arranged by the Know How Fund for young diplomats from the region. An initial course on 18 September to 10 December 1991 was very well received by participants. This would, however, be the first course to include diplomats from all the countries of the former Soviet Union.
CHINA
Spokesman said that we had received reports that a group of European Parliamentarians, including Mr Bob Parry MP, and a British journalist, were detained on 30 April in Tienanmen Square.
Mr Alastair Goodlad, Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with responsibility for China, had summoned the Chinese Ambassador, who would call this afternoon. Mr Goodland would demand a full explanation and the immediate release of the detained.
The reports suggested that the group unfurled a banner in Tienanmen Square. The Government took the view that if these reports were true the behaviour of the Chinese authorities was disproportionate and unacceptable.
The British Ambassador in Peking had been instructed to make parallel representations to the Chinese authorities.
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