TNAG-2789-FCO40-4028-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1993 — Page 118

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BRITISH EMBASSY TO THE HOLY SEE:

PROPOSED LONG TERM OBJECTIVES

APRIL 1993 MARCH 1994

A

A

A

A

B

1. To ensure that the Holy See is fully briefed on the case for British policies where our national security and our major political and economic interests are at stake, and where the Catholic church has influence; and to ensure that HMG are kept informed on the Holy See's international policies.

2.

To secure the Holy See's public support for the peace process in Northern Ireland, with periodic reiteration of the Pope's condemnation of violence there.

3. To follow closely the Holy See's efforts to promote Christian values in Europe following the decline of Marxism, especially where they relate to our social and economic goals in Western and Eastern Europe and to seek, as far as possible, to align them with our policies in the Balkans.

4.

To ensure that consideration is given to using high-level visits to Italy for calls on the Pope and others at the Vatican and vice versa, and to keep the FCO, and other posts where appropriate, informed of visitors from the Holy See.

5. To encourage the Vatican to make constructive use of their new role in the CSCE.

B

6. To obtain the Holy See's understanding for our policies in the Middle East and towards Islam, and to keep abreast of theirs.

C

C

C

To maintain a dialogue with the Holy See on Hong Kong, China, and Indo-China.

7.

8. To continue our dialogue with the Holy See about economic and humanitarian issues in the Third World.

To help to ensure that the Holy See gives due weight to the political and institutional implications of developments in relations between the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches.

9.

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