CONFIDENTIAL
$6
Mr Youde
CHINESE WILDLIFE IMPORTS
1.
RE
RE
20 FEB1974
NRK
51
Miss Kell
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рык
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Hong Kong telegram no. 208 is a much more thoughtful reply than we have received previously. I think it provides sufficient material for an adequate reply to the numerous MP's who have written on the subject. As the Governor says, the severest critics will not be satisfied but I believe we can now show that Hong Kong are doing everything that is reasonably possible.
2. We hurried Hong Kong up because Mr Davies, in Mr Blaker's office, thought we should try to get out substantive replies before the election. But Mr Guest now considers, and I agree, that we should wait until we have had a reply from the Chinese and until after the elections. The latter is partly because Mr Blaker will not have time to study the replies with care, and partly because it is conceivable that the question could become an election issue for some people. Mr Guest also considers that no further interim replies are needed for the time being.
3. I therefore recommend that we should take no further action until March beyond sending the attached telegram to Peking.
14 February 1974
сс
PS/Mr Blaker
Desi
A C Stuart
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.
Discussed. tel to issue
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CONFIDENTIAL