Hire
1y
0401
SECRET 22 DEC1981
DESK
INDEX
(278)
PP HONG KONG
GRS 305
SECRET
FM FCO 2117002 DEC 81
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 974 OF 21 DEC 81
AND TO PRIORITY PEKING (PERSONAL FOR AMBASSADOR)
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR AND POLITICAL ADVISER FROM CLIFT
YOUR TELNOS 1098 AND 1105 AND PEKING TELNO 735: FUTURE OF
HONG KONG
265
Y268
1.
THESE COMMENTS WERE VERY HELPFUL.
1264
See Here 040/1
нко очо
1980
2.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS DISCUSSED WITH LPS. THE BRIEF
HAS BEEN REVISED AS A RESULT (TEXT IN MIFT). THE LPS WILL NOT WANT
TO BE DRAWN INTO SUBSTANTIVE DISCUSSION OR BUILD UP THE PM'S
VISIT IN THIS CONTEXT BEFORE WE SEE WHETHER THE CHINESE HAVE
ANYTHING FURTHER TO SAY. IN CONSEQUENCE THE BRIEF
DOES NOT GO AS FAR AS YOU SUGGESTED IN DISCUSSING THE SUBSTANCE OF
THE LEGAL PROBLEM. SECRETARY OF STATE CONSIDERED THAT THE LPS
SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON RECALLING THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S REMARKS IN
PEKING LAST APRIL, AND ON EMPHASISING THAT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES AND
IS LIKELY TO INTENSIFY. PROVIDED THAT THE PRIME MINISTER HAS BY
THEN AGREED ON TARGET DATES FOR A VISIT TO CHINA, THE LPS WOULD
ALSO MENTION THAT SHE WILL WANT TO TAKE UP THE QUESTION WHEN SHE
GOES TO PEKING. BUT WOULD NOT COMMIT US TO SUBSTANTIVE DISCUSSION
UNTIL WE CAN SEE MORE CLEARLY HOW THE LAND WILL LIE NEARER THE
TIME.
!
MINISTERS CONSIDERED THAT IT WOULD BE BEST AT THIS STAGE NOT
TO EXPAND ON THE DIFFICULTIES CAUSED BY THE ENDING OF BRITISH ADMINISTRATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IN 1997 OR TO MENTION THAT
HONG KONG WOULD NOT BE VIABLE WITHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES. THEY
THEY REALISE THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATING THE CHINESE BUT DO NOT
WANT TO RISK A REBUFF BY GOING INTO TOO MUCH DETAIL TOO EARLY. 3. THE BRIEF HOWEVER CONTAINS SOME MATERIAL FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION
IF THE CHINESE APPEAR RECEPTIVE.
4. WE ARE WORKING ON COMMENTARY ON THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE
SOVEREIGNTY QUESTION (PARAGRAPH 9 OF YOUR LETTER OF 8 OCTOBER TO
DONALD). WE WILL SEND YOU OUR VIEWS EARLY IN THE NEW YEAR.
CARRINGTON
LIMITED
HKGD
FED
PS
PS/LPS
PS/PUS
SIR E YOUDE
MR DONALD
SECRET