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16 November 1983
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RJT McLaren Esq CMG
Office of the Political Adviser 5th Floor, Central Government Offices, Hong Kong.
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Professor Steenkamp, a sociologist and member of the Board of KLM, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the First Chamber, of which he has recently been elected President, and an influential member of the Christian Democrat Party, the main coalition partner in the present Government of the Netherlands, is planning to visit Hong Kong over the New Year. He plans to arrive at 15.15 on 31 December by KLM 805 and will leave for Seoul at 16.00 on Tuesday, 3 January.
He and his son, who will be accompanying him, will be staying at the Sheraton Hotel.
2. Piet Steenkamp has telephoned me to ask for our assistance if necessary - with any Customs/Immigration formalities, in case they might be complicated by his arrival on New Year's Eve: is there anything we could do to help?
3. He also said that he would be interested in having a talk with somebody in the Hong Kong Administration at his hotel about the Colony's future and its relations with China, though he realised that the New Year might not be the most convenient time. But Steenkamp is a likeable, enthusiastic person who wants to take advantage of any opportunity to get useful first-hand briefing on the spot. As Hong Kong increasingly becomes an international issue, we may need the understanding and support of our close Allies. I think therefore that it would be worthwhile somebody taking an hour or so to explain to Professor Steenkamp (who plays an important role in the formulation of his party's views on foreign affairs) the British approach to the Colony's future and to the negotiations with Peking. In this connection, Dutch understanding of our views could be of particular importance in the UN, where they are currently a member of the Security Council.
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