Lin then said that the figure of 15 for the Congressional delegation included staff and wives. He stressed that the delegation should be comprised of members of Congress. In the past some wives had been included and the Chinese would leave this question for the U.S. side's discussion with Congress. The Chinese are willing to receive some wives, but they would be included in the figure of 15. We think that we do not want a delegation that is half members of Congress and half wives; the responsible organization would have problems.
Habib responded that this might make the wives' union very unhappy. The Chinese have been so hospitable with previous Congressional wives that a precedent has been set.
Lin Ping said that in the past wives were included in the total number. With respect to dividing the Congressional group into two visits, we think it best to have it all at one time. From past experience 15 is an ideal size; if it's larger the arrangements cannot be as good.
Habib said he did not wish to debate the point but Congress is a most important group with respect to our long-term relations based on the Shanghai Communique. We hope the Chinese will keep this in mind in terms of our mutual long term objective. However, we need not pursue particulars now; we can be in touch through normal channels.
Lin said that with respect to claims/assets he had already expressed his views and noted that Habib had said he would have some further remarks.
Habib said that he had reviewed the bondholders' issue and has concluded that this need not be an issue between us. He wished to make one point clear: we have not asked your Government to accept these bonds as a claim against the PRC. We did not mention the bond holders' question to create an issue; we raised it to explain that it was not an issue. Perhaps we should not have raised it but in any event it need not be part of the claims settlement. He then repeated that we have not asked the Chinese Government to accept these bonds as claims against the PRC.
SECRET/NODIS
