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THE CHINESE IMMEDIATELY ON HIS RETURN, EMPHASISING THAT ITS PURPOSE IS TO MAINTAIN CONFIDENCE AS THEY SAY THEY WISH WITHOUT REVEALING ANY DETAIL ABOUT THE DISCUSSIONS. WE HOPE THEY WILL
SIMILARLY EXERCISE RESTRAINT.
(BEGIN UNDERLINING) DISCUSSION WITH EXCO (CEASE UNDERLINING) 4. MY SECOND IFT CONTAINS NOTES ON WHICH MR LUCE COULD DRAW AT THIS MEETING. AS YOU SEE THESE CONCENTRATE MAINLY ON OUR
ASSESSMENT OF THE POSITION. WE DO NOT THINK THAT IT WOULD BE
HELPFUL TO GO INTO TOO MUCH DETAIL ON DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE
OPTIONS AT THIS STAGE. NEVERTHELESS WE THINK THAT EXCO SHOULD BE
LEFT IN NO DOUBT THAT THE NEXT ROUND OF TALKS IS LIKELY TO BE CRITICAL AND THAT THE NEGOTIATORS' INSTRUCTIONS WILL HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFULLY DEVISED IN ORDER TO AVOID A BREAKDOWN. THEY SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO COMMENT AND PRODUCE IDEAS THEMSELVES. THE PRIME MINISTER HAS ONLY HAD TIME TO CONSIDER THE QUESTION BRIEFLY ON THE EVE OF HER DEPARTURE FOR NEW YORK. SHE WOULD WELCOME EXCO'S VIEWS ON THE PRESENT POSITION AND ON THE TIMING OF A POSSIBLE
FURTHER DISCUSSION IN LONDON BETWEEN MINISTERS AND UNOFFICIALS.
די
HOWE
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
LIMKLED
ED/HKD
COPIES TO
SIR IAN SINCLAIR LEGAL ADVISER
MR BURROWS
LEGAL ADVISER
HD/FED
MR ROBERTS
NEWS D
ED/PLANNING STAFF
MR MARTIN
EDD/PUSD
PS
PS/LADY YOUNG
MR FLOWER
PS/MR LUCE
MR COLES
PS/PUS
SIR J BULLARD
MR GIFFARD
MR DONALD
WRIGHT
ASSESSMENTS STAFF
CABINET OFFICE
PUSD
NO 10 DOWNING SUREEN
STR A PARSONS NO 10 DOWNING STREMENT.
MR WALKER RESEARCH D OAB 2/82
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