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D
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Copy of
140
1981
Sir L Monson
HONG KONG DEFENCE CONTRIBUTION
1. In FCO telegram No 592 we made it clear to the Governor
that Ministers collectively were awaiting a report from him
on the reactions of his executive Council to the DOPC proposals
conveyed to him in FCO telegram No 553.
2. In his telegram No 579 the Governor has now given us an
outline of the form in which he intends to put those proposals
to his Executive Council. He also suggests, in paragraph 3
of his telegram, a "course of action" which, unless he hears
from us to the contrary, he will assume correctly interprets
the instructions sent to him.
3. It is not clear however exactly what the Governor will do.
His suggestions appear to take the form of alternatives. 4. It is important that Ministers' wishes in this matter
should be made quite clear to the Governor. In paragraph 8
of FCO telegram No 592 we said that Ministers awaited his report on the reactions of his Executive Council to the DOPE
We also told him that proposals previously conveyed to him. he should not at this stage say anything about the use of the
reserved powers. I think that we should now make it quite
clear to the Governor that he should do no more than put the DOPC terms to his Executive Council and report their reaction letting us have at the same time his own assessment of the
situation in the light of that reaction.
5.
Even if Executive Council respond favourably Finance
Committee may not. So long as there is any possibility of having to use the reserved powers, it will be important for Ministers to be kept in touch with each step in the negotiations
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