CONFIDENTIAL
R&R on Ministrie
veriti file;
ANG
6.8.70
Mr. Gaminara
(Hong Kong Dept.)
Mr. Rippon's Visit to Hong Kong.
I see from Hong Kong telegram No. 514 that the Governor welcomes Mr. Rippon's visit from 11 - 14 September.
2. Mr. Royle spoke to me this morning about briefing for Mr. Rippon's visit on matters outside the E.E.C. context.
3.
4.
two
He would like the Department to prepare
(i)
(ii)
notes on questions likely to be raised at Press conferences. On these he suggested that it would be most appropriate for Mr. Rippon at a Press conference on arrival
to explain that his visit was primarily
concerned to familiarise himself with the
aspects of the negotiation for our entry
into E.E.C. and that he would not be
concerned on his visit with internal Hong
Kong affairs; on these the Government, having recently taken up office, was still considering its policy.
Mr. Rippon should be provided by the Department with a general background briefing on Hong Kong affairs. I suggest that the note prepared for the Secretary
of State at the time of the General Election,
subject to such bringing up to date as may be necessary, would be suitable.
Could you be giving thought to the production of these
and also whether there are any matters not
Х
covered by the brief referred to at (ii) above on which it would be useful for Mr. Rippon to have defensive briefs, taking into account the lines suggested in sub-paragraph (i) above.
c.c. Sir Con O'Neill
Mr. Tickell
Miss Deas
Ливилити
(L. Monson)
4 August, 1970
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