GR- 230
IMMEDIATE
CYPIOR/CAT A
FM BTC HONG KONG 251003Z
RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED
HKK 16/1
REGALE
27 JAN 1973
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
No
TO IMMEDIATE F.C.O TELNO.BTC 7 OF 25 JANUARY 78,
ärld
See
INFO IMMEDIATE DOT (CRE4), DOI (MACDONALD IC2) AND PEKING.
M.I.P.T.
ASIAN
1. THERE IS CONSIDERABLE LOCAL INTEREST IN THIS STORY.
WALL STREET JOURNAL HAVE TRIED TO GET ME TO CONFIRM OR DENY
EXISTENCE OF COMPREHENSIVE THREE WAY DEAL COVERING SALE OF U.K
POWER STATION TO CLP/ESSO, CHINESE COAL TO HONG KONG AND U.K
COAL MINING MACHINERY TO CHINA.
2. 1 HAVE TAKEN THE LINE THAT I DOUBT THE EXISTENCE OF ANY DEAL LINKING WHAT APPEAR TO BE THREE SEPARATE ISSUES. I OF COURSE CONFIRMED THE SALE OF THE FIRST STAGE OF THE POWER STATION TO CLP/ESSO. I SAID THAT THE QUESTION OF COAL PURCHASES FROM CHINA IS A MATTER FOR CLP/ESSO BUT I COULD CONFIRM THAT CHINA HAD INDICATED A WILLINGNESS TO CONSIDER SUPPLY (SEE YOUR INDUS 23 OF 19 JANUARY), I SAID THAT I WAS UNABLE TO COMMENT ON REPORT OF U.K SALES OF COAL MINING MACHINERY TO CHINA ALTHOUGH WE HAD SOLD SUCH EQUIPMENT IN THE PAST AND WERE IN A GOOD POSITION TO MEET ANY
NEW CHINESE REQUIREMENTS IN THIS SPHERE.
3. GRATEFUL URGENT BRIEFING ON BACKGROUND TO THE A.P STORY.
MARCH
FILES
FED
TRED
FRD
ECON D
HK & GD
OID
NEWS D
MR.CORTAZZI MR.MURRAY MR. THOMAS
RESTRICTED