Mr Cortazzi
Talvir Mr O'Keeffe
SECRET
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The Department - and Mr O'Keeffe in particular are to be
congratulated on bringing this exercise to such a satisfactory
state: including the conduct of a long and difficult negotiation
with Sir M MacLehose and his advisers. What emerges, I believe,
is a policy paper which clarifies some important issues for
Ministers and lays out a set of guidelines which will I hope
both be defensible at Westminster and capable of application
in Hong Kong.
The next stage is a final discussion of the paper with
the Governor. As Mr O'Keeffe says, this should be reasonably
harmonious.
letters.
I agree with his comments on Sir M MacLehose's
I have made a few pencilled comments on the paper itself.
I am a little sceptical of certain propositions, though not on
any essential points. (The only one where I think actual
rubbish is uttered is in Annex B(j)).
I take it that we now discuss this with the Governor,
before submission to Ministers for their approval? (Incidentally,
should not the Planning Staff be involved in this process?)
12 July 1976
cc: Mr O'Keeffe
Michael Palliser
SECRET