GRS 200
SECRET
SECRET
FM HONG KONG 23100OZ AUGUST 82
TO IMMEDIATE F C 0
TELEGRAM NUMBER 910 OF 23 AUGUST
FOLLOWING FOR CLIFT (HKGD)
YOUR TELNO 633
TOP CON
HAK 040/3
4*VED IN REGSTET #ɔ KD
2 4 AUG 1982
INDE
HKTT040/1
NEW TERRITORIES LOCAL LEASES
ALTHOUGH WE SHALL NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT LOCAL NEW TERRITORIES LEASES BEFORE TOO LONG I WOULD NOT FAVOUR COMPLICATING THE PM'S DISCUSSIONS BY RESUSCITATING THE ISSUE DURING HER VISIT TO PEKING. SUBJECT TO HMA PEKING'S VIEWS I THINK THE CHINESE WOULD SUSPECT THAT WE WERE TRYING TO PULL A FAST ONE BECAUSE THEY (NEXT WORD UNDERLINED) WOULD SEE IT AS PREJUDICING THEIR POSITION.
2. A LIMITED MOVE OF THIS KIND, WITHOUT ANY RESOLUTION OF THE MAIN ISSUE, MIGHT MOREOVER BACKFIRE HERE. THE PRESENT MOOD IS SO UNPREDICTABLE THAT IT COULD EASILY BE READ AS A STOP-GAP MEASURE REQUIRED BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO MAKE PROGRESS ON THE MAIN PROBLEM.
3. WHILE THEREFORE IT CAN BE NOTED AS A PRACTICAL PROBLEM WHICH WILL NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IN DUE COURSE I THINK WE
SHOULD LEAVE IT AT THAT FOR THE PRESENT AND SUPPRESS THE
ANNEX.
YOUDE
MINIMAL
HD HKG D
HD|
SECRET
14
Plus 619