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this is not really relevant to the underlying bitterness which
Sir P Reilly has noticed. This is manifested in a series of specific
issues on which Hong Kong believe that the UK have ignored or
overridden their wishes. The current issues were the subject of
Flag D the Secretary of State's minute to the Prime Minister of
20 September. Mr Aston believes that if he had the status and
staff of a head of mission, he could deal with them.
5.
But neither he nor we can ignore the fact that the Governor
is the Queen's representative.
I believe we should be very wary of
adopting Mr Aston's thesis that we should argue Britain's case in
Hong Kong, even, if necessary, in a public dispute with the Hong Kong
Government. The Frime Minister has directed that we should deal
with the issues between us and Hong Kong separately and together
as part of the complex of our relations. We are making some progress.
Once solutions are reached which take account of the interests of
both parties, we look to the Government of Hong Kong to present
this to their public in such a way as to improve our bilateral
relations. This is the stage we have now reached on, for example,
sterling and the EEC Generalised Scheme of Preferences.
6.
To this end we have been careful about our personal relations
with senior officials of the Hong Kong Government. Mr Royle and
the Secretary of State have also worked hard with officials and
un-officials.
Our aim is a general acceptance that our real interests
This is a relatively new thought to some in Hong Kong,
including some in high places like Mr Haddon-Cave. But the alternative
run together.
is to get into a series of public quarrels with the Hong Kong
Government which would severely complicate the Governor's job.
/7.
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