PP UKREP BRUSSELS
CONFIDENTIAL
TOPOCKY
MKKogols
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
2511983
26454
GRS 208
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO 211540Z OCT 83
TO PRIORITY UKREP BRUSSELS
INDEX
TELEGRAM NUMBER 552 OF 24 OCTOBER
INFO ROUTINE PEKING HONG KONG
FOR POWELL
Aus Prest
REGISTRY
Action Taken
FUTURE OF HONG KONG VISIT TO CHINA BY GASTON THORN PRESIDENT
OUR TELNO 706, PEKING TELNO 1965 AND HONG KONG TELNO
(44) OF THE EC
1565439)
(438)
1. MIFT CONTAINS BACKGROUND BRIEFING FOR M THORN ON THE FUTURE
OF HONG KONG, OUR TALKS WITH THE CHINESE AND CONFIDENCE IN
HONG KONG. GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD ARRANGE FOR A SENIOR MEMBER OF
HIS CABINET TO BE BRIEFED, STRESSING CONFIDENTIALITY. ADDITIONAL
BACKGROUND INCLUDING HISTORICAL POINTS IS IN
2.
GUIDANCE TELNOS 192 OF 20 OCTOBER 1982 AND 083 OF 8 JULY 1983.
M THORN MAY COME UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE MEDIA IN CHINA AND
HONG KONG TO COMMENT ON HONG KONG'S FUTURE. GRATEFUL FOR HIS
HELP IN MAINTAINING CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG AND SAYING NOTHING
THAT COULD DAMAGE IT. THE KEY POINT TO STRESS IS THAT
CONFIDENTIAL TALKS ARE TAKING PLACE AND THIS IS WHAT COUNTS.
3. THERE ARE NO PARTICULAR POINTS WHICH WE WOULD ASK
M THORN TO CONSIDER MAKING TO THE CHINESE ON HONG KONG IF THE
CHINESE RAISE THE SUBJECT WE SEE NO HARM IN HIM MAKING THE POINT
IN PARA 1 OF HONG KONG TUR. BUT WE SHOULD NOT (NOT) WANT TO GIVE
THE IMPRESSIONS TO THE CHINESE THAT WE WERE ENLISTING M. THORN'S
AID ON OUR BEHALF.
HOWE
FUTURE OF HONG HONG
LIMITED
-
1
FED
ED/FLAMMING STAFF
D/PUSD
D/E/FUSD (MR FLOWER)
RESEARCH DEPT (MR WALKER )
LEGAL ADVISER (SIR IAN SINCLAIR)
HD ECD(E) PS
PS/LADY YOUNG
PS/MR LUCE -
PS/FUS
SIR J BULLARD
MR GIFFARD
MR DONALD MR WRIGHT
COPIES TO: MR BURROW
MA ROBERES MR. MARTIN
MIR COLES
LEGAL ADVISERS -
NEWS DEPT ASSESSMENTS STAFF CABINET OFFICE
SI
No 10 DOWNING 53
SIE PARSONS
MR GOODALI CABINET OFFICE
SIA PEILIG MOORE
BUCKINGHAM
PALACE.
PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE CORON
PS/ECME SECRETARY
FS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
PS/ S OF S FCR DEFENCE
FS/LORD PRIVY SEAL
FS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND
PS/LETORNEY GENERAL
CONFIDENTIAL
INDUSTRY
45)