Mr Donald
PS/Mr Luce
PS
CONFIDENTIAL
M. But
From:
HKK 027/20
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
29 JUL 1983
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
at
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REGISTAY
Action Takan
R Burges! Watson i South East Asian Dept
Dated: 20 July 1983
R
cc./PS/PUS
Mr Clift (HKGD)
Mr Elliott (FED) Miss Neville-Jones
(Planning Staff)
MR LUCE'S TRAVEL PROGRAMME
A 13-1.
Mr Clift's minute of 18 July recorded that all concerned in Hong Kong supported the idea of a visit there by Mr Luce as soon as possible after the holidays; the period 26-28 September would be best. I understand that the Minister of State agrees with these dates. He would like to combine a visit to Hong Kong with a tour which might include Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore plus perhaps Thailand or Burma. He would plan to leave the UK on 13 September, accompanied by his wife, and return direct from Hong Kong on 28 September.
2. I submit a draft Private Secretary letter to No. 10.
BACKGROUND AND ARGUMENT
3.
It would be most convenient if the first port of call were Brunei. How our negotiations with Brunei (over the Gurkha battalion) are likely to develop will depend on the Sultan's reply to Mr Pym's letter. But it seems to me likely that, whatever the reply, a visit in mid-September would probably be opportune: either to conclude an agreement, if the reply is favourable, or to try to break the log-jam, if it is not.
4.
The exact timing, however, must inevitably take account of the availability of the Sultan. There would be no point in going to Brunei without arranging an audience in advance. To seek an audience before the Sultan has sent us his reply would risk the come-back that Mr Pym's letter could be discussed during Mr Luce's visit. But the visit is likely to be more fruitful if we know the Sultan's reaction to the letter. This could come, via Sir Charles Fletcher-Cooke, at the end of this month.
It could be useful for Mr Luce to have both a brief preliminary meeting with the Singaporeans, before going on to Brunei, and a debriefing meeting on his way back.
5.
16.
CONFIDENTIAL