SECRET & PERSONAL
With this in mind, I think the next step is to show you the
final version of the Planning Paper which we have produced, and I
therefore enclose a copy. You will see that our views on the
Chinese dimension are virtually identical with those you expressed
in your first Despatch (13 February). All of us (including Lord
Goronwy-Roberts) who have read the Paper and the two Despatches
agree that it would be most unwise to embark at this stage on any
substantive talks with the Chinese about the future of the Colony
or possible adjustments to the status quo. Differences between the
view as seen from the Office and from Government House arise I think
only about domestic policies within Hong Kong. Study of your second
Despatch enabled those involved in preparing the Planning Paper to
identify and clarify these differences - and incidentally to make a
number of substantial improvements to the first draft, which they had
prepared. Laurence O'Keeffe has now set out, in a note a copy of
which forms the second enclosure to this letter, the points which we
feel should be further pursued. I would welcome your comments on
these issues.
I have thought carefully about what you said in your letter
about tension in the Office about this exercise. I do not think that
tension is really the mot juste: it is, however, clear to me that
2.
SECRET & PERSONAL
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