CONFIDENTIAL
6. EIGHTH SUPPLEMENTARY. AN EXPRESSION OF CONFIDENCE IN THE OUTCOME OF THE NEGOTIATION WOULD BE APPROPRIATE BUT IT WOULD BE BETTER TO AVOID A BALD STATEMENT THAT THERE IS NO LIKELIHOOD OF A CHINESE TAKEOVER. WE SUGGEST: ''THAT IS A HYPOTHETICAL QUESTION. THE SITUATION WOULD HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES. BUT THE PRIME MINISTER HAS EXPRESSED HER BELIEF THAT AN AGREEMENT CAN BE REACHED WHICH WILL BE WELCOMED BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG''.
7. NINTH SUPPLEMENTARY. '' AM CONFIDENT THAT THE PROVISIONS FOR RETURN TO THE DEPENDENT TERRITORIES ARE ADEQUATE''.
YOUDE
MINIMAL
HK + GD
NTD
MVD
COPIES TO:
HONG KONG GOVT. OFFICE, LONDON
CONFIDENTIAL