GR 205
CONFIDENTIAL
Hick 16411
RECENL
299
CONFIDENTIAL
FM BTC HONG KONG 101012Z NOV '78
TO IMMEDIATE PARIS
TELNO.MISC 91 OF 10 NOVEMBER,
OFFCIK
INDEY
Nois
REO TRY
„Action Taken
INFO IMMEDIATE D.0.1 (FOR MISS FENN, P.S TO LIPPITT, INGRAM AND
MCKENNEY).
FOR EVANS MINISTER (ECONOMIC) FROM LIPPITT.
1. I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF PROTRACTED AND VERY DIFFICULT NEGOTIATIONS IN HONG KONG IN RESPECT OF A VERY LARGE POWER PROJECT. Ì HAVE DONE MY BEST TO COMPLETE THESE BY MONDAY NIGHT SO THAT I COULD FLY DIRECT TO PARIS FOR THE ANGLO/ FRENCH TALKS. BUT THIS HAS PROVED IMPOSSIBLE AND SINCE WE
ARE ON THE EDGE OF SUCCESS FOR A MAJOR CONTRACT OF SUBSTANTIAL IMPORTANCE TO THE U.K INDUSTRY, I FEAR I MUST STAY HERE UNTIL
NEXT FRIDAY.
2. AS YOU KNOW BENJAMIN IS FLYING BY CONCORDE FROM MEXICO FOR THE TALKS AND HE WILL GO ON THE VISITS WITH PHILIPPE ESPER. I WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD GO AS CHAIRMAN IN MY PLACE. THIS SHOULD CAUSE YOU NO DIFFICULTY SINCE VARIOUS EXPERTS FROM THE D.0.1 WILL BE PRESENT TO SPEAK ON
THE DIFFERENT SUBJECTS ON THE AGENDA.
3. PLEASE GIVE PHILIPPE ESPER MY APOLOGIES AND SAY THAT I
WILL SPEAK TO HIM ON THE TELEPHONE WHEN I RETURN ESSENTIALLY ABOUT THE KIND OF ADVICE WE MIGHT WANT TO GIVE IN RESPECT OF THE CALLAGHAN/GISCARD D'ESTAING TALKS.
MARCH
FILES HK & GD (6)
TRED WED
[ PASSED AS REQUESTED]
DOI
'COPIES TO
PS/MR LIPPITT MR INGRAM DOI MR MCKENNEY DOI
CONFIDENTIAL