1
SECRET
(၂၆
GR 175
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER/CAT A
FM HONG KONG 010520Z
SECRET
REVO N
པ་, ུ།
1 DEC 1975
LICK 1011
TOP COPY
TO IMMEDIATE F C O TELNO.1205 OF 1 DECEMBER.
FOR O'KEEFFE.
PLEASE PASS FOLLOWING TO MACLEHOSE FROM ROBERTS. COPY TO HONG KONG COMMISSIONER LONDON.
BEGINS
DEFENCE COSTS.
BUS.
NEXT
REF.
IT IS PROPOSED TO ISSUE THE FOLLOWING PRESS RELEASE AT ABOUT 11 P.M. (HKT) TUESDAY 2ND DECEMBER.
2+
QUO TE
A TEAM OF OFFICIALS CONSISTING OF THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY
AND THE SOLICITOR GENERAL LEFT FOR LONDON TONIGHT. THEY WILL BE JOINED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WHO WILL BE LEAVING FOR LONDON
TOMORROW NIGHT (WEDNESDAY),
3. IN LONDON THE TEAM WILL TAKE PART IN FURTHER MEETINGS WITH
U.K. OFFICIALS IN CONTINUATION OF THE EXCHANGES ON DEFENCE COSTS
WHICH HAVE BEEN PROCEEDING SINCE MR. RODGERS LEFT.
UNQUOTE.
4. WE SHALL HOPE TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THIS VERY LOW KEY
ANNOUNCEMENT, AS PROPOSED BY YOU IN PARAGRAPH 8 OF YOUR TELNO. 1186
OF 27 NOVEMBER. HOWEVER, IF QUESTIONED FURTHER WE SHALL REPLY ON
THE FOLLOWING LINES.
SECRET
/ 5. QUOTE