CODT 18-77
Mr Clift
cc: Mr Hoare
Mr Thomson FED
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LIKK 090/2
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO.
Mr Clarke News Dept
29 JUN 1983
DESK OFFICE INDEX
Reference
File CC
REGISTRY
Action Taken
Km1118
(99)
LINE TO TAKE WITH THE PRESS FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON 1 JULY OF A SECOND PHASE OF THE TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG
attached
1. It has now been agreed (Peking tel 599) that an announcement will be made about these talks simultaneously in Peking, London and Hong Kong between 1900 and 1930 Peking time on 1 July (ie 12.00 noon to 12.30 London time).
2.
3.
The agreed text is as follows:-
'Following the discussions between the leaders of the two
countries in September 1982 and subsequent useful exchanges, it has been agreed that a second phase of the talks on the future of Hong Kong will begin in Peking on 12 July 1983.'
It
Hong Kong will also need to add that the Governor is to attend these talks. We will no doubt come under a great deal of pressure from the press here in Hong Kong and in Peking. is important that we say as little as possible and do not say anything which risks annoying the Chinese (This is assuming of course that the Chinese themselves do not start making unhelpful remarks to the press). On no account should we give any details of the content of the agenda or even of the fact that there is an agenda.
4.
In dealing with press enquiries of a general nature we can draw on the notes for supplementaries prepared for the recent debates on the Queen's Speech (copy attached). Questions specifically on the visit of the EXCO Unofficials who will visit London during the week beginning 4 July can be answered by drawing on Hong Kong tel 979 of 28 June to the / Hong Kong Government Office, London, (copy attached).
/ 5.
Attached is a first draft of possible questions and answers on the second phase of talks. I should be grateful for views as soon as possible so that we can agree a line to take before 1 July with Hong Kong and Peking.
نام ها
29 June 1983
W Morris
..
Hong Kong Department
PS. The supplementaries for the Queen's Speech debates were cleared with Hong Kong and Peking. Also attached are three further supplementaries provided for Prime Minister's Question Time on 28 June.
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