TL TO HONG KONG
GRS 181
CONFIDENTIAL
TELELETTER
FROM R D CLIFT, HKGD, FCO
CONFIDENTIAL
ник
HIIL 026/2
51
2 5 MAY 1982
men
(45)
6373 - 1
See (52
FILE REFERENCE HKK 026/2 DATED 20 MAY 1982
FOLLOWING FOR L M DAVIES ESQ CMG OBE, SECRETARY FOR SECURITY,
GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, HONG KONG
UK SELECT COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE
1. I WAS ABOUT TO REPLY TO YOUR LETTER OF 10 MAY WHEN YOUR
TELEGRAM NUMBER 517 ARRIVED.
(43)
2. THE PRESENT POSITION IS THAT THE COMMITTEE HAVE ASKED FOR
WRITTEN BRIEFING ONLY. WE ARE, HOWEVER, SUGGESTING AN ORAL
BRIEFING. THIS SHOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR US TO SET THE VISIT
IN ITS PROPER CONTEXT.
3. I DO NOT, HOWEVER, THINK WE SHALL BE ABLE TO DO ANY EXPLICIT
LOBBYING TO TRY AND STEER THE COMMITTEE OFF THE ROLE OF THE
GARRISON AND THE DCA AS YOU SUGGEST. INDEED WE BELIEVE IT WOULD
BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE TO TRY SINCE IT MIGHT LEAD THE COMMITTEE TO
BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING TO HIDE.
4.
THAT SAID, WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO PUT THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE.
5. I WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW THINGS DEVELOP BUT DO NOT EXPECT ANY
DECISION ON BRIEFING UNTIL THE END OF JUNE.
6.
WE AGREE THAT IT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE FOR US TO BRIEF
RATHER THAN THE LONDON OFFICE.
SIGNED R D CLIFT
coped to sui
HEGO
j. Caley
во
сус
2/6
noted Plo
216
1
CONFIDENTIAL