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GRS 189
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FM FCO 161200Z JUL 80
TO ROUTINE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 573 OF 16 JULY
See 440
146
INFO PEKING
132 FROM
FOR ACTING GOVERNOR FROM CLIFT
HONG KONG TEL NO 868: ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
THE GOVERNOR DISCUSSED THIS WITH MR BLAKER ON 14 JULY. THE
INCREASED PRESSURES OVER THE LAST 2 MONTHS WERE RECOGNISED.
1.
MR BLAKER SAID THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEEK THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S
VIEW ON THE TIMING OF IMPLEMENTATION, SPECIFICALLY AS TO WHETHER
LORD CARRINGTON WOULD PREFER THIS TO AWAIT HIS VISIT TO PEKING IN
EARLY OCTOBER. IT MIGHT BE DESIRABLE IN TERMS OF PRESENTATION IN
PARLIAMENT AND ELSEWHERE TO BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT EVERY
POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY HAD BEEN TAKEN TO INDUCE THE CHINESE TO STEP
UP THEIR ACTION. ON THE OTHER HAND THERE COULD BE AN ARGUMENT FOR
GETTING IMPLEMENTATION OVER DURING THE PARLIAMENTARY RECESS.
2. WE WILL SUBMIT IN THIS SENSE SHORTLY ASKING THE SECRETARY OF
STATE FOR A DECISION, ON THE BASIS OF WHICH THE GOVERNOR CAN
REVIEW THE SITUATION ON HIS RETURN IN MID-AUGUST. AT THE
GOVERNOR'S REQUEST WE WILL RECOMMEND THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE
AGREE THAT IN ANY CASE, IF THERE IS A VERY SHARP DETERIORATION,
THE MEASURES COULD BE IMPLEMENTED AT SHORT NOTICE.
CARRINGTON
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