SECRET
GRS 200
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER/CAT A
FROM FCO 151331Z
KLF.
SECRET
(472)
479
876
"chid AHKIL 6/500/
Jechin
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TELNO 958 OF 15TH DECEMBER 1975.
FOLLOWING PERSONAL FOR ACTING GOVERNOR FROM GOVERNOR DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT.
472.
1. YOU WILL HAVE SEEN FCO TELEGRAM NO 957 CONTAINING THE TEXT
OF A LETTER FROM MR RODGERS TO ME OF 12 DECEMBER ARGUING STRONGLY
IN FAVOUR OF AN ANNOUNCEMENT THIS FRIDAY.
2. WHILE I AGREE THAT FRIDAY WOULD BE A GOOD TIME, I HAVE REPLIED
VIA ROBERT ANDREW THAT MY AGREEMENT TO AN ANNOUNCEMENT REMAINS
CONDITIONAL ON CLARIFICATION OF THE TIMING OF ANY ANNOUNCEMENT
OF IMPORT CONTROLS OR AN ASSURANCE THAT HONG KONG WILL NOT BE
AFFECTED.
3. AS YOU KNOW, A DECISION ON IMPORT CONTROLS HAS AWAITED THE
OUTCOME OF DISCUSSIONS WITH CHRYSLER AND RESOLUTION OF INTER-
DEPARTMENTAL DIFFERENCES, BUT IT NOW LOOKS QUITE POSSIBLE THAT THE DECISION WILL, (REPEAT, WILL), BE CLARIFIED IN TIME TO MEET MR RODGERS'S PROPOSAL.
4. YOU WILL HAVE GATHERED THAT MOST OF THE AMENDMENTS YOU HAVE
PROPOSED PRESENT NO REAL DIFFICULTY IN LONDON.
5. I READ YOUR TELEGRAM NO 661 TO MEAN THAT NOW THAT THE TEXT OF
THE MOU IS ACCEPTED AND HONG KONG'S REQUIREMENTS ABOUT THE TIMING
OF AN ANNOUNCEMENT HAVE BEEN CLEARLY STATED, EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
LEAVE IT TO ME TO PROCEED OR NOT TO PROCEED AS I THINK FIT IN THE
LIGHT OF HOW THE SITUATION DEVELOPS IN LONDON AND THE ASSURANCES
I CAN OBTAIN. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THIS, AND WILL TELEGRAPH. AGAIN LATER IN THE WEEK.
CALLAGHAN
FILES
HKIOD DEF D EID TRED
PS
PS/LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS PS/PUS
COPIES TO
MR RJ ANDREW AUS(GS)MOD MR S T KIDD
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE 6 GRAFTON STREET, W1
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