CONFIDENTIAL
THIRDLY I DO NOT THINK I HAVE TO CONVINCE THE AUDIENCE HERE
TONIGHT THAT THE CONTENT OF THE TALKS ARE BEST KEPT CONFIDENTIAL.
IMPORTANT COMMERCIAL AGREEMENTS ARE NOT DISCUSSED IN PUBLIC IN
THE MIDDLE OF STATUE SQUARE: AND INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS ARE
MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED IF CONFIDENTIALITY CAN BE MAINTAINED.
LET ME REPEAT THAT PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE PREJUDICED BY WHAT THEY
HEAR SAID OUTSIDE THE ACTUAL NEGOTIATIONS: AND ONE THING YOU CAN
BE SURE OF IS THAT IN THE DISCUSSION ABOUT HONG KONG'S FUTURE,
IDEAS HAVE BEEN AND WILL BE PUT FORWARD BY BOTH SIDES. OF COURSE
DIFFERENCES NEED TO BE RECONCILED. THAT IS WHAT THE TALKS ARE FOR.
I REMAIN CONVINCED THAT THEY CAN BE RECONCILED AND THAT CONFIDENTIAL
TALKS ARE THE RIGHT AND MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF DOING SO.
MR CHAIRMAN I AM TONIGHT LEAVING FOR CONSULTATIONS IN LONDON.
THIS WILL PROVIDE ME WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO OVER THESE AND
MANY OTHER ISSUES WITH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. I CONFIDENTLY
EXPECT TO RETURN WITH A RENEWED EXPRESSION OF UNDERSTANDING AND
FIRM SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG, AND ITS FUTURE.
YOUDE
COPIES TO
SIR I SINCLAIR
MR ROBERTS
LEGAL ADVISER
NEWS D
MR COLES
MR MARTIN
NO 10 DOWNING STREET
ASSESSMENTS STAFF
CABINET OFFICE
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
LIMITED
HD/HKGSD
HD/FED
ED/PLANNING STAFF HD/PUSD
PS PS/MR HURD
<
PS/LORD BELSTEAD
PS/PUS
MR GIFFARD
MR DONALD
SIR J BULLARD
-2-
CONFIDENTIAL