GRS 220
SECRET
DEDIP
DESKBY 10093OZ
FM CANBERRA 100426Z NOV 93
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
SECRET
TELEGRAM NUMBER 574 OF 10 NOVEMBER
TOP COPY
MKK040/5
RECEIVED IN REGIS
1 1 NOV 1983
INFO PRIORITY PEKING (PERSONAL FOR AMBASSADOR), HONG KONG
(480) YOUR TELNO 365: FUTURE OF HONG KONG: BRIEFING OF AUSTRALIANS...
1. AS I HAVE BEEN AWAY FROM CANBERRA THIS MONTH, MAINL
CONNECTION WITH THE INVINCIBLE TASK GROUP VISIT, ARRANGEMENTS
HAVE BEEN MADE FOR ME TO CALL ON HENDERSON (PARSONS IS
WINDING DOWN IN PREPARATION FOR HIS DEPARTURE FOR LONDON) ON
11 NOVEMBER TO CARRY OUT THE INSTRUCTIONS IN YOUR TUR.
2. HOWEVER TODAY'S EDITION OF **THE AUSTRALIAN
CARRIES
ON ITS FRONT PAGE A REPORT FROM BRIAN BOSWELL IN LONDON CLAIMING
THAT CHINA HAS ISSUED AN ULTIMATUM CALLING ON BRITAIN QUOTE
TO SET A DATE TO QUIT HONG KONG, AND WARNING THAT IT WOULD
ANNOUNCE A UNILATERAL SOLUTION BY NEXT SEPTEMBER IF NO
AGREEMENT HAD BEEN REACHED BEFORE THEN. UNQUOTE. ACCORDING TOL
THE REPORT THE PRIME MINISTER IS EXPECTED TO FLY BACK FROM
GERMANY FOR URGENT TALKS WITH SIR P CRADDOCK WHO WAS REPORTED
TO BE RETURNING TO BRITAIN QUOTE IMMEDIATELY UNQUOTE. THE
REPORT SAYS THAT THE CHINESE STATEMENT HAS COME AS A SURPRISE
ONLY FIVE DAYS IN ADVANCE OF THE NEXT ROUND OF SINC/BRITISH TALKS,
AND THAT SO FAR THERE HAS BEEN NO WHITEHALL COMMENT.
545
JUH
OMDB 11
perly.
سعد
ре
See (559 578
3. I AM OF COURSE AWARE THAT THE CHINESE HAVE MADE THESE SORT
OF NOISES BEFORE AND I IMAGINE THE REPORT (WHICH HAS ALSO BEEN
REFLECTED IN ABC NEWS PROGRAMMES IS EXAGGERATED. NEVERTHELESS,
HENDERSON IS BOUND TO ASK ME ABOUT IT. GRATEFUL FOR GUIDANCE
BY 1102002.
MASON
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
INTEXONSID
COPIES TO: (VIA DISTR. ROOM)
3/FD
SIR PHILIP CORE BUCKINGHAM PALA PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE-COUNCIL PS/HOME SECRETARY
PS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL
PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND
ED/PLAINING STAFF
ED/PUSD
D/ED/FUSD(1R FLOWER)
RESEARCH DEPT(MR FALKER)
LEGAL ADVISER (SIR IAN SINCLAIR)
PS
PS/LADY YOUNG
PSAR LUCE
PS/PUS
SIR J BULLARD
MR GIFFARD
MR DONALD MR WRIGHT
INDUSTRY
COPIES TO:
(VIA ADR)
NEWS DEPT
MR ROBERTS
MR BURROWS LEGAL ADVISERS MR COLES NO 10 DOWNING ST SIR A PARSONS
H
MR MARTIN ASSESSMENT STAFF
MR GOODALL
CABINET OFFICE
ח
SECRET
MRBRENNAN
CABINET OFFICE
PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL