182
HKK 184/2
LLANED BE WEG SMY NO. 51 MANAGEMY 19 JUN 1979
DESK OFFICER
RE:
IND
tw
PA
AC
GRS 120
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
FM F C O 151831Z JUN 79
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 408 OF 15 JUNE.
FOLLOWING FOR JEAFFRESON FROM POLITICAL ADVISER.
AIR SERVICES.
1. THERE IS A VERY STRONG FEELING IN WHITEHALL AGAINST ADJOURNING TALKS OR GOING FOR OPTION B. WE HAVE THEREFORE AGREED TO GO ALONG WITH OPTION A, BUT ONLY AND STRICTLY ON CONDITION THAT BA GIVE A GUARANTEE TO VACATE THE HONG KONG/PEKING ROUTE WITHIN THREE YEARS. AS A FINAL FALL-BACK WE HAVE SAID THAT WE COULD ACCEPT 4 YEARS FROM INITIALLING THE AGREEMENT ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT HAPPENS WITHIN NEXT FEW WEEKS. WE HAVE SAID THAT IF THIS GUARANTEE CANNOT BE GIVEN, THEN HONG KONG MUST RELUCTANTLY PRESS FOR OPTION B. WE HAVE SPOKEN TO ADRIAN SWIRE AND BREMBRIDGE. THEY WOULD BE PREPARED TO GO ALONG WITH WHAT WE HAVE SUGGESTED.
CARRINGTON
FILES
HKSD
MAED
MR CORTAZX/
HR MURRAY
MISS BROWN!
COPIES TO HKGO.
CONFIDENTIAL