1
SECRET
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of certain Dependent Territories in negotiations on their future.
In the case of the Falkland Islands, members of the Executive Council
were invited to participate in negotiations with the Argentines, apparently partly to encourage them to face up to the realities.
of the problems. Although they declined the offer, they were
fully briefed by Mr Rowlands after each round of the negotiations.
5. In the case of Belize, Dr Owen was instrumental in getting
Mr Price and Opposition Leaders to agree on a Memorandum of
Understanding in 1978 which paved the way for negotiations with
Guatemala to start afresh after a setback because of problems
both with Mr Price, who accused HMG of negotiating behind the
backs of the Belizeans and with Opposition Leaders who were
reluctant to bring Belize to independence at that time.
6.
However
The Prime Minister has agreed that Opposition Leaders
should be briefed on a confidential basis on Hong Kong.
we are waiting until the briefing of Conservative backbenchers
is complete before submitting material for that. There is
nothing new that can be said in Parliament at present; nor can
we make any useful forecast of when it might be possible to make
a statement.
Bin
17 March 1983
SECRET
R D Clift
Hong Kong and General Department