SECRET
-2-
Clewly
we need to
2. We should consider whether we can do more to
convince the Chinese that there is a practical
problem over leases and that it is in their
interest as well as ours to solve it. We are agreed
on a possible role for S Haddon-Cave (paragraph
14 of your letter of 22 February).
Would
there also bel
merit in briefing Sir Y K Kan to speak to the/
Guangdong authorities in similarly limited terms
in May?
}
3. On substance, we agree that we should concen-
trate on the leases question and not at/this stage
seek any understanding from the Chinese on
continued British administration.
Sail
for
There is unch the We are attracted
the step-by-step approach outlined in paragraphs
At
9-13 of your letter. However we have difficulty
stat
Cradock's comments
comfitia
Rur
au freem
jump
my Hulin
Nat
reit The real would in reconeiling/your paragraph 11 and 12
add might well have to brace pragraph 12 presumably not be able to ask the Chinese for.
w whether pragraph 12 would follow
whether it
assurances on leases running past 1997 in the would be subsumed in this
New Territories before we had
our widens clear at this stage,
get
on the issue of such leases.
one point on which we queing got their agreement
At present, an
subject to
In any ease we believe
it would be useful if the Secretary of State could
initially concentrate on getting the Chinese to
expand Deng's assurances in a form that could be
publicly quoted. Whether he would go beyond that
would depend on the Chinese attitude.
4. On a possible political quid pro quo,
that the formala described in paragraph 6 of
Lie de covering leases troughout the Cradock's letter of April Would
a
I
e agree
real gain? most we could get. We are examining the legal
alous with the implications of implications of this, and other possible Chinese
demands. Meanwhile we would be grateful for your
SECRET
/views
not
تقلة
your joint views with
Cradock
in line)
to thank Hat
axeand
of the lesser
solution of
only
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
andrŝivid
on New Territories leaves balance) by statement
shivererguty,