TNAG-2916-FCO40-4191-International-support-from-European-countries-regarding-the--1993 — Page 130

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FM BONN

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2 9SEP 1993

DES OFFICEE

OF 291047Z SEPTEMBER 93

INDEA

AND TO IMMEDIATE FCO

INFO PRIORITY PEKING

INFO ROUTINE PARIS, THE HAGUE, FRANKFURT, AMSTERDAM, BRUSSELS

MY TELNO 001 TO HONG KONG: VISIT TO GERMANY BY THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG: 14-16 NOVEMBER

FOR GOVERNOR

SUMMARY

1. Still no decision on whether Kohl will visit Peking. Decision likely early October.

DETAIL

2.

Possibility of flying visit?

Whilst giving us a readout on the visit of Mrs Wu, Chinese Minister of Trade, Dr Sommer (head East Asia Department, MFA) told

that Kohl had still not decided whether he would visit Peking week beginning 15 November. The decision would have to be made, however, by early October otherwise it would be impossible to organise at such short notice (the Federal Chancellery has confirmed this). Kohl was apparently still keen to go but aware of the criticism that his visit would provoke in Germany from both the human rights and Taiwan lobbies. Germany would thus expect a substantial carrot in terms of commercial deals and, possibly, progress on the human rights front (ie release of dissidents). Mrs Wu had made a determined effort to encourage Kohl to come arguing that of the top four European countries, Germany's was the only Head of Government still missing from the List of visitors to China (excluding, of course, the French). Sommer said this line of argument wouldn't cut much ice with Kohl.

3.

Sommer suggested that if Kohl (accompanied by Kinkel and Rexrodt) does go to China that week that we consider the possiblity of a flying visit at some point during your

European tour to catch the Chancellor and the senior ministers, eg if this could be arranged you might fly in to Bonn from London for

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