CONFIDENTIAL
Foreign and Commonwealth Office London SW1A 2AH
Telephone 01-
23
Entér
Your reference
Our reference
Datb
1 July 1981
M Elliott Esq Head of Chancery TOKYO
Dew Mark
HKIZ
306/1
RECEIVED TA TASTY NO. 51
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DESK OFFICER
INDEX
ملا
SAN SE PR+1-
REGKSTRY
Action Taken
PA
$2.7
10217
POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL BBC RELAY STATION IN FAR EAST
-NIR
1.
You will have seen from Guidance telno 83 and Mr Ridley's and Lord Carrington's answers to PQs on 25 and 26 June that as part of the proposed capital programme to improve the BBC's audibility we are con- sidering a new Far East relay station. The Singapore relay station, even when equipped with satellite feeds, cannot ensure effective audibility in Northern China, Japan and Korea.
2. It is no secret that consideration has been given to various sites in Hong Kong. We have yet to take a political view on this, but provided certain technical difficulties can be overcome the territory would pro- vide an excellent location for a relay station. We are under some pressure from the BBC to go ahead with the Hong Kong idea. At the moment there is financial provision in principle for a station with 2 x 300 kw shortwave transmitters to be built between 1985/86 and 1988/89. But finance for the whole BBC capital programme is contingent on the BBC making certain savings in current operations.
Z We will shortly need to submit to Ministers on the many complex issues related to a possible HK relay station. One factor we shall need to take into account is whether there are any alternative sites in the region. I should therefore be grateful if you and your opposite numbers in Seoul and Manila could let me have views on whether a site in your respective countries would be feasible. We have rejected on communica- tion grounds any areas further afield such as Brunei.
If
4. Please do not let the local authorities know about this enquiry. you need to consult them in order to obtain factual background, please seek to disguise your reasons for doing so. The same applies to your US colleagues who may prove fruitful sources of information. We know the Voice of America have a relay station in the Philippines but are
CONFIDENTIAL
/concerned