HOFO023/28
0
GRPS 320
CYPHER/CAT A
FM HONG KONG 281152Z
CONFIDENTIAL
RIČAVED IN
REGISTRY No.51
S OCT 1973
NICK 21/4 zily
HONG KONG Creda 137 ww.Farry
1. Miss Welch
225
4. Db. V.
V. 341
2 Mr Cotterill ECGD 3. Mr. Start FCOME" HK TOD
C.3
PA
TO PRIORITY D TI TELNO CREDA CREDA 119 OF 28TH SEPTEMBER, 1973.
FOR WATSON (OPG) FROM ASTON.
M.T.S.
221) 1.
HIKIOD
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CREDA 137. IN THE EVENT HADDON-CAVE WAS
NOT AT LUNCH AND I HAVE NOT, THEREFORE,. SPOKEN AS IN YOUR PARA 2. MEANWHILE I HAVE SEEN MESSAGE FROM BRITISH GROUP TO LEVER FROM WHICH
IT APPEARS THAT DISCUSSIONS WITH ITALIANS HAVVVE BEEN FRUSTRATED BY THE CIVIL CONSORTIUM. BRITISH GROUP WERE THEREFORE PROPOSING TO SEND A MESSAGE TO HADDON-CAVE WHICH TAKES THEM NO
FURTHER FORWARD THAN AT END OF LONDON DISCUSSIONS.
2. LEVER AFTER DISCUSSION WITH WEEDON AND MYSELF AND CONSULT-
ATION WITH CLAGUE - IS SENDING MESSAGE TO BRITISH GROUP STRONGLY
URGING A MORE FORTHCOMING LINE.
3*
SINCE POSITION RE-ITALIANS NOW SEEMS SO MUCH BACK IN THE MELTING
POT I PROPOSE TO TRY TO AVOID SAYING ANYTHING ABOUT IT TO ANY
OFFICIALS PENDING FURTHER CLARIFICATION. GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD
KEEP ME INFORMED OF DEVELOPMENTTS. IN PARTICULAR IT WOULD BE USEFUL
TO HAVE EARLY CLARIFICATION WHETHER WE ARE TALKING OF A MERGER
WITH THE ITALIANS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO BRITISH CIVIL OR MERELY
AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THEM, IN LATTER CASE WILL BRITISH CIVIL'S
ATTITUDE BE ULTIMATE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR OF THE COMBINED
NEGOTIATING POSITION.
4.
INCIDENTALLY ITALIAN CONSUL GENERAL HAS TOLD ME THAT HE
HAS HEARD OF THE DISCUSSIONS, WHICH HE WELCOMES, AND ASKED TO EXCHANGE NOTES WITH ME IN DUE COURSE.
PRESENT.
ASTON
I AM HOLDING HIM OFF FOR THE
NNNN
SENT AT 12327/28 EJH