CODE 18-77
Mr George, PUSD. (E210)
SECRET
Reference
fice
НКК 040/5
(68)
CALL ON MR WRIGHT BY MR MICHAEL COOK, HEAD OF THE AUSTRALIAN OFFICE OF NATIONAL ASSESSMENTS (ONA)
1.
You asked if we had any points for this call by Mr Cook on Friday 28 October. We have no points to make but you may wish to pass the following to Mr Wright.
2. As Mr Wright is aware, we keep the Americans fully in the picture on the future of Hong Kong, and the Australians, Canadians and New Zealanders only slightly less so. On the overt side the Australians have had several briefings on. Hong Kong in recent weeks:
(a) Mr Whitney called on Mr Henderson, Secretary, in the Australian DFA, in Wellington on 6 October.
Canberra
(b) Mr Benson, Minister, Australian High Commission, and Mr Alf Parsons, High Commissioner-designate, called on Mr Luce on 17 October.
(c) Mr Benson, Minister, Australian High Commission, called on Mr Clift, HKD on 26 October. Mr Clift gave a general account of how the latest round of our talks with the Chinese had gone (19/20 October) and of how we expected things to move forward over the coming weeks. (The next round is 14/15 November.)
3. In addition we have had from the Australians an account of a conversation in New York on 3 October between the Australian Foreign Minister and the Chinese Foreign Minister. And, as you know, the Deputy Director of the ONA, Mr McLennan, visited Hong Kong in early October where he saw, among others, the Political Adviser.
4.
All in all, as the above shows, we are keeping in close touch with the Australians, and will continue so to do.
27 October 1983
cc: Mr Donald
Mr Clift, HKD Mr Chick, SPD
SECRET
W Morris
Hong Kong Department (WH305)
233 3722
MKKOA0/5
RECEIVED IN REGISTAF
2 8 VCT 1983
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