CONFIDENTIAL
Mr Male
Лари Волово
Mr Cortazzi
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AS
HONG KONG: SIR DENYS ROBERTS' VISIT
1. Hong Kong have returned to the charge on the question of the guidance to be given to the press in connection with Sir Denys Roberts' visit (Hong Kong telegram No 555).
2. I am still inclined to the view which I expressed in my submission of 1 June. At the same time I appreciate that the degree of press interest is likely to be greater in Hong Kong than it is here and that, in the last resort, Hong Kong is the best judge of how to play the visit in local terms. This being
So,
I think we should, on reflection, agree that Hong Kong should make use of the unattributable guidance on the Legislative Council as a subject for discussion during the visit in support of an announcement, preferably in the amended form suggested in our telegram No 418. I am still unhappy, however, about any mention being made of the Defence Costs Agreement as a subject for discussion. More to the point, the MOD, who are primarily concerned and whom we have hurriedly consulted, are strongly opposed for the sort of reasons I advanced in paragraph 3 of my previous submission. I therefore think that Hong Kong will have to find some other way, if necessary, of explaining the fact that the Deputy Financial Secretary will be accompanying Sir Denys Roberts. I suggest that we invite Hong Kong to say that since financial points may arise during Sir Denys Koberts' visit it would be natural for him to be able to draw on financial expertise.
3.
I recommend that we should telegraph to Hong Kong along the lines of the attached draft.
3 June 1976
Mr Attewell, News Dept
Mr Larmour
cc:
A.F. Milton
D F Milton
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean
Department.
To ensur
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