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WASHINGTON TEL. NO. 715 TO F.C.O.
3.
AT A PIECE OF PASSING DRIFTWOOD. EVIDENTLY, HOWEVER, HE FEELS THAT IF SOME ACCEPTABLE ARRANGEMENT COULD BE ARRIVED AT WITH HONG KONG
THERE WOULD BE A CHANCE OF SELLING IT BOTH WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION
AND TO OTHER ASIATIC EXPORTERS. WHATEVER THE MERITS OF HIS PROPOSIT- ION AS IT STANDS, THERE IS MUCH TO LE GAINED FROM ENTERING INTO A DIRECT DIALOGUE AT A FAIRLY HIGH LEVEL WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT. IT
MIGHT AFFORD A CHANCE OF PROMOTING ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS NEARER TO
YOUR AND HONG KONG'S WAY OF THINKING.
7. 1 AM NOT SURE HOW THE PRIME MINISTER'S MESSAGE (YOUR TELEGRAM
NO. 563) WILL INFLUENCE TREZISE'S ATTITUDE, BUT WITH LUCK IT MAY
STRENGTHEN HIS INCLINATION TO TALK TO US.
8. GRATEFUL FOR AN EARLY REPLY.
MR. FREEMAN
[COPIES SENT TO 3.0.T. AND MINTECH]
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