GR 200
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER/CAT A
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FM FCO 121900Z
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(HKK 3/548/3)
2)
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DESKBY 122359Z
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TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TELNO 1993 OF 12 DECEMBER/AND TO PRIORITY
MANILA.
FROM PS LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS
HONG KONG TELNO 1229 AND MANILA TELNO 130
1. NEWS DEPARTMENT WILL MAKE THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT AT 161230Z (161230Z):
QUOTE VISIT TO HONG KONG AND THE PHILIPPINES BY LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS, PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, IS TO VISIT HONG KONG FROM 11-17 JANUARY AND THE PHILIPPINES FROM 17-20 JANUARY UNQUOTE.
2. THEY WILL ALSO PROVIDE FOLLOWING OFF THE RECORD BACKGROUND: QUOTE LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS IS THE MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG
KONG AND FOR FAR EASTERN AFFAIRS, THESE WILL BE THE FIRST OFFICIAL
VISITS TO HONG KONG OR MANILA BY A MINISTER OF THE PRESENT COVERNMENT
LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS HAS NOT YET VISITED HONG KONG AND IS DOING SO
NOW IN ORDER TO OBTAIN AN OVERALL VIEW OF THE COLONY AND TO HAVE
GENERAL DISCUSSIONS WITH OFFICIALS AND OTHERS THERE, HE HAS DECIDED TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT MANILA ALSO: THE PHILIPPINES IS A COUNTRY OF INCREASING ECONOMIC COMMERCIAL AND POLITICAL IMPORTANCE
IN THE AREA AND NO MINISTER OF HMG HAS VISITED FOR A LONG TIME.
3. NEWS DEPARTMENT WILL IN GENERAL TAKE CARE TO EMPHASISE THAT THE VISIT TO HONG KONG IS A ROUTINE ONE, AND IN NO SENSE A QUOTE SPECIAL
MISSION UNQUOTE.
4. (FOR MANILA). PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR WILL BE INFORMED IN ADVANCE,
CALLAGHAN
FILES
HKIOD (4)
SEAD
CRD
FCD
NEWS D
FS/LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS
MR WILFORD
SIR D WATSON
MR MALE
COPIES TO
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE 6 GRAFTON STREET
RESTRICTED