647
GRS 310
SECRET
FROM PEKING 220718Z JUN 83
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
SECRET
TELEGRAM NUMBER 575 OF 22/6/83
INFO TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
159
TOP COPY
да
See
4/ 23/6
HKK 026/5
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY 2 4 JUN 1983
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
(425) HKK040/4.
PA
✓
HONG KONG TEL NO 835: FUTURE OF HONG KONG: VISIT BY UNOFFICIALS TO LONDON
REGISTEY
Action Takin
(426)040/4.
1. YOU WILL KNOW FROM MY TELNO 570 THAT ZHOU NAN SUGGESTED 4 JULY FOR THE FIRST SESSION OF SUBSANTIVE TALKS. IF WE ARE ABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT ON THE AGENDA SOON ENOUGH, THERE WPSLD OBVIOUSLY BE MERIT IN COMPLYING SO AS NOT TO LOSE THE MOMENTUM WHICH HAS AT LAST BEGUN TO BUILD UP AFTER NINE MONTHS OF LONG DAYS, PARTICUARLY GIVEN ZHOU'S INSISTENCE ON THE SEPTEMBER 1984 DEADLINE (MY TEL N O 571). HAVING BEEN THE MORE ACTIVE AND POSITIVE SIDE IN THE EXCHANGES SO FAR WE SHOULD CERTAINLY NOT WISH TO APPEAR TO BE DRAGGING OUR FEET NOW.
2. 1 THEREFORE HOPE THAT A VISIT BY THE UNOFFICIALS TO LONDON WILL NOT DELAY THE START OF TALKS. IF IT IS FEASIBLE
FOR US TO BEGIN ON 4 JULY I THINK WE SHOULD TO SO, AND POSTPONE THE UNOFFICIALS' VISIT.
I NOT THAT THE GOVERNOR AGREES THAT IT IS NOT ESSENTIAL THAT THE VISIT SHOULD PRECEDE THE START OF TALKS (HONG KONG TEL ONO 330 TO YOU). IF ON THE OTHER HAND, WE CANNOT BEGIN ON 4 JULY, AND THE UNOFFICIALS' VISIT GOES AHEAD AS PLANNED, I HOPE WE COULD BE READY TO DECIN TALKS HERE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VISIT.
SECRET
13. YOU