CONFIDENTIAL
1021
2
**
WE ARE NOT ENGAGING IN A COUNTER PROPAGANDA CAMPAIGN. WE DO NOT
REGARD THE OUTCOME OF THE TALKS AS PREJUDGED BY ANYTHING SAID
OUTSIDE. WE ARE KEEPING IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH GOVERNOR AND HONG KONG
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. OUR AIM IS TO TRY TO PRESERVE HONG KONG'S
STABILITY AND PROSPERITY IN A WAY ACCEPTABLE TO PARLIAMENT AND
THE HONG KONG PEOPLE. NO RIGID PRECONCEPTIONS PROVIDED THIS
CRITERIA IS MET.
6. IMPORTANT AT THIS STAGE TO AVOID SAYING OR DOING ANYTHING
THAT MIGHT DAMAGE CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG. ITS SUCCESS AND THE
WELL-BEING OF ITS PEOPLE DEPEND ON THIS CONFIDENCE. NO ONE
WANTS TO SEE THIS DIMINISHED.
7. COMMENT: AS YOU WILL APPRECIATE THE COURSE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS
IS BEING KEPT EXTREMELY CONFIDENTIAL. THUS WE DO NOT WANT TO GET
THE NEW ZEALANDERS INVOLVED IN DETAILED DISCUSSION WITH THE
CHINESE. BUT THE ABOVE SHOULD BE OF HELP TO THEM IN PUTTING
ACROSS ANY POINTS OF THEIR OWN. NATURALLY, WE SHOULD BE
INTERESTED TO HEAR THE OUTCOME. TIM FRANCIS, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR
FOREIGN AFFAIRS WILL OF COURSE BE IN LONDON FOR BILATERAL TALKS
NEXT WEEK.
8. TUR IS BEING REPEATED TO PEKING AND HONG KONG.
PYM
DISTRIBUTION:
LIMITED
HD OF HKGD
HD OF FED
HD OF SPD
PS
PS/LORD BELSTEAD
PS/PUS
MR DONALD
2
CONFIDENTIAL
!