TNAG-2702-FCO40-3908-Memoirs-of-Sir-Percy-Cradock--diplomat-and-sinologist-1993 — Page 157

(SIR PERCY CRADOCK)

CONFIDENTIAL

1.

I agree that the revised text is an improvement. Publication in this form would, in my judgement, be a good deal less damaging to the current negotiations. I therefore agree that, from the FCO's point of view, it is worth conducting a negotiation to try to secure some further amendments. I am inclined to think that we could take on that negotiation and spare the Cabinet Secretary the trouble.

2.

Sir Robin Butler may, of course, take a rather different view. He has a general responsibility to preserve consistency of policy on these matters and he did say, at our meeting with Sir Percy Cradock on 2 July, that amendments would not meet his main point. I therefore attach a revised draft to the Cabinet Secretary and a suggested draft letter from him to Sir Percy Cradock. our proposal is agreed, I would try to see Sir Percy in the next couple of weeks, following which he could submit a finally revised text to the Cabinet Secretary.

If

29 July 1993

CC:

PS/Mr Goodlad

foln Loles John

معهما

Sir John Coles

CONFIDENTIAL