Mr March,
FED
TL)
1.
CONFIDENTI Reference.....
39
In his letter to me (copy attached), Mr Youde asked if we would amend the standard line on the Chinese attitude to Hong Kong set out in my letter to Mr Donald of 13 September (also attached).
2.
I see no objection to the amendment and, if you agree, I think that both News Department and we should adopt it for any future off-the-record briefings.
3.
In replying to Mr Youde we might, if you agree, take up the point in my minute to Mr Bentley of 26 September about the possibility that the Chinese
had briefed the authors of "Hong Kong: A Case to Answer" on the conclusions as well as on the content of the booklet. Would something on the lines of the attached draft be acceptable to you?
9 October 1974
сс
News Dept.
Mr. Stadt. HKIOD.
I se
sie wo
AC
A C Stuart
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.
objcction and some mexit in the
adoptio of the amendment suggested by th. Youde.
2. However, in the absence on
any real
were
evidence that the Chinese Embassy briefing the authors of the booklet, I am
reluctant to draw the conclusions reached in paras 2 and certainly 3 of your draft.
While the degree of entlumniasin with which
the cluime womed welcome
any
unexpected
CONFIDENTIAL
offer