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Mr Hoare
Mr Morris
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
1.
Bth to me 3/8
SECRET
MKK040!!
JECEIVED IN REGISTRY
Separate copés
•23/8.
STRY
won Taken
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Этом
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Enter
pu. & Mrs Prist
(93)
by CA consider whether anything
is outstanding 211/s
The following are points I should like to cover at this afternoon's meeting:
ат
(a)
(b)
WM.
RDC
(c)
Paper on changes from present administration. far.
Progress so
Clearance with Hong Kong and Peking. Submission to
Ministers.
Overall strategy paper. This would be prepared for use at the beginning of September by Ministers in discussion with Governor and Ambassador. Would cover paper on changes and consider options for the autumn. Would probably also cover;
Paper on alternative ''insulators'' for Hong Kong. This would consider whether guarantees could be found apart from the British constitutional link.
Chinese organisation and personnel dealing with future. There have been recent
reports on this.
(d)
Κω
Should we do a short submission?
(e)
WM
RED ĥ Amb.
(f)
ROM
тр
(g)
WM
(h)
Definition of British aims for Hong Kong and presentation to China. Ambassador and Governor are trying to nail the Chinese assertion that we are in Hong Kong for the money. The Chinese may find it difficult to accept that we are being wholly altruistic. Do we need a short paper showing that we have hard political reasons for meeting our obligations to Hong Kong? Should this be put over in Peking? Can we do more through other channels, eg through Chinese Embassy?
We
Briefing of other Governments. We need to take stock of where we stand with the Americans and Australians and decide whether more things to be done. Should we reconsider our policy of saying practically nothing to anyone else? may need other governments later, eg in contributing to
''alternative insulators''. Should we recommend that they are brought in more?
Сть
Briefing of backbenchers.
Mr Luce has spoken to Sir P Blaker and small group. Is more needed? What about discussion with HKGO of invitations to MPs?
Briefing of Opposition. Labour Party briefing held up because of Election. Should we get something in before recess? Can we afford to wait till Labour Party leadership sorted out?
Staffing, leave and division of work during August.
Possible JIC assessments.
(i)
WM ti disc Ass Staff
(j)
CODE 18.77 25 July 1983
THIS IS A COPY in
THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN RETAINED
IN THE DEPARTMENT UNDER
SECTION 3 (4) SEGRET
PUBLIC RECORDS ACT 1958
R D Clift