CONFIDENTIAL
2
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS NOT YET WRITTEN TO THE COMPANY AGREEING TO GIVE A GUARANTEE, BUT THE SIGNS ARE THAT THEY WILL DO SO SHORTLY. THE COMPANY WILL THEN TACKLE THE BANK FOR THEIR GUARANTEE, BUT HERE AGAIN THE OMENS NOW SEEM RATHER MORE FAVOURABLE, JUDGING BY RECENT CONVERSATIONS I HAVE HAD.
Lisa
ABLE/2
BROTHERS AND THE OTHERS TO WHOM I HAVE SPOKEN HAVE INFERRED CLEARLY TO ME THAT THE FRENCH TERMS ARE BETTER IN THEIR OPINION, BUT THAT THEY ARE SINCERE IN HOT WANTING TO PLAY THE FRENCH OFF AGAINST THE BRITISH, AND THEY ACCEPT THAT YOUR MINIMUM POSITION IS A GUARANTEE FROM ALL SHAREHOLDERS. 1 BELIEVE THEY WILL GIVE THIS IN TERMS WHICH YOU WILL APPROVE. IF THEY DO SO, THEIR REASONS FOR PREFERRING TO DEAL WITH US ARE THAT THEY ARE CONVINCED THAT A CONTRACT MUST BE SIGNED QUICKLY OR NOT AT ALL. (PUBLIC OPINION HERE, NOT TO SPEAK OF THE EXISTING FERRY OPERATORS, WOULD NOT STAND FOR YET ANOTHER LONG DRAWN OUT AND UNCERTAIN NEGOTIATION). THE ONLY PEOPLE ABLE TO DELIVER A PRICE, DESIGN AND CONTRACT QUICKLY ARE COSTAINS.
5. MY GUESS IS THEREFORE THAT THE FRENCH WILL BE KEPT IN PLAY, BUT MY HOPE IS THAT SERIOUS NEGOTIATIONS WITH YOU WILL START BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH. WE CAN ONLY WAIT AND SEE.
SIR D. TRENCH
EXCED DISTRIBUTION
Hok. Do
EX. PRO. Do
MR. MORETON
CONFIDENTIAL
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