NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry No.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret.
Secret.
DRAFT LETTER
To:-
G. R. Denman, Esq., Board of Trade.
Type 1 +
From
Sir C. O'Neill
Telephone No. & Ext.
Confidential,
Restricted.
Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
C.C.
In Confidence 35
G.R.Bell, Esq.
BOT.
w.f.Shovelton, Esq.
Mintech.
FMKearns, E. M.C.
MAFF.
P. S. Preston
Esq.,
MAE
BOT.
Laird, . C.M.G. Hong Kong Dep.
F.c.o.
P.E. Thornton Ex.
Cabinet Office
The in Something mming here?
Department
You will have seen para. 2 of Hong Kong
telegram to FCO no. 475 (attached), asking for a
special series of meetings between U.K. and Hong
Kong officials in London, such as were held in 1967,
te consider whether developments since 1967 affect
the conclusions then tentatively reached for our
negotiating position for Hong Kong. The telegram
mentioned some time this summer as a suitable
occasion for the meetings. The FCO reply (telegram
no. 491 also attached) suggested that the Hong
Kong authorities discuss this with you in Hong Kong.
It warmed them that a summer meeting would be
difficult and hinted at our preference for the
Autumn.
2.
Unless you have any objection, perhaps you
would indicate to the Hong Kong authorities our
willingness to have another round of talks at
official level on the 1967 lines; the problems
attending such talks, should they be held in the
immediate future the uncertainties surrounding
the four power talks in Geneva, the Hong Kong - U.S.
negotiations, the Hong Kong EEC negotiations,
the position of our own EEC negotiations, the
situation as regards the UNCTAD Generalised
Preferences Scheme, etc. eta; and our readiness
sl) Dd. 391599 1,500M 2/69 Hw,