Hong Kong
United States
216
that
Your minute of 25th August.
2. You will no doubt now have seen in circulation the telegram which the Fr.0.0. have sent on the lines mentioned in your para, 2.
3. As for the correct procedures in such situations, it would in ny view be better to leave these matters to be discussed between the P.0.0. and the visitors from Hong Kong. I would not personally consider it necessary to insist/any request of this kind should be addressed to the United Kingdom Government by the Americans or any- body else. It is certainly necessary to get it clear with Hong Kong that unless the constitutional position changes it is, as you say, for Her Majesty's Government to decide whether consulta- tions should begin. As long as this is clearly understood between us, I would not think it absolutely necessary to spell out the position to all other countries. There may well be something to bo said for allowing Hong Kong the appearance of a certain amount of autonomy.
Kr. Stewart (1.1.)
c.o. kr. Peck
(Sec)
Miss Welch (I.1.)
Mr.G.S. Whitehead (FCO)
RECEIVED IN
3. TRY No. 51 28 AUG 1969
HKKG/
(D.I. Dunnett)
CRE 1 26th August,1969