CONFIDENTIAL
Nigel Watt, a senior Hong Kong Government Officer detached for special duties, to visit most of the EEC capitals (except Copenhagen, Dublin and Luxembourg) from 25 February to 27 March. The main purpose of his visit will be to survey Hong Kong's public relations and information effort. This will obviously be a good opportunity for you to discuss the problem with him. When you have done so we would like to have your ideas about a possible linking arrangement for Hong Kong. Watt is coming to London for a round-up visit at the end of his European tour, and we shall have an opportunity for a general discussion then. Meanwhile, I expect you would agree that it would be best to avoid making any commitment to him when he calls on you. We do not want to get involved prematurely in a series of ad hoc and perhaps incompatible arrangements in each of the European capitals.
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5. Nevertheless I hope that you will do what you can to help Watt in his preliminary tour. This will mean making it possible for him to see the appropriate people in the German Government; talking to your own people.. This visit is an opportunity for Hong Kong to get its general relations with the EEC countries on to the right footing, and Watt will need help if he is to make the most of it.
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6. I am copying this letter as indicated below. I would be grateful if the other posts which Watt will be visiting could also give him practical assistance, and if all those who are receiving copies of this: letter could let me have their comments and suggestions.
co: R Arculus, Esq CMG Paris
J A Molyneux Esq The Hague
M Morland Esq Rome
Yours ever,
Rodric Beauthent
(R Q Braithwaite)
I. S Winchester Esq Brussels
E AJ Fergusson Esq UKREP Brussels
For information only:
K C Thom Esq Dublin
J M Crosby Esq Luxembourg G W Marshall Esq Copenhagen Miss M J Lackey DTI (CRE 2)
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CONFIDENTIAL
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