SECRET
Fre
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1A 2AH
21 November 1983
(585)
i
R JT McLaren Esq CMG
Political Adviser
HONG KONG
Dear Robin
BRIEFING OF THE AMERICANS ON THE FUTURE
1.
MKKO405
RECEIVED IN REJIGU,
2 NOV 1983
ZOK OFFICE)-
PA
JEX
Thank you for your letter SGD 4/03 of 11 November. The briefing in question was given to Ms E Sutter, Counsellor in the US Embassy here. As with all our American contacts, she was given an explicit warning of the sensitivity of the information. We have now followed this up with a further injunction that telegrams on the subject should make clear that the information should be tightly restricted in its dissemination.
2.
579
Briefings of the Americans here normally take place at this level. I agree that it is important to avoid any impression among the Americans that the information can be treated in a cavalier fashion. I think it is in fact unrealistic to expect them to handle it on a 'personal'' basis. They are bound to report what they hear. But what we need is to ensure that they do this with professional discretion. shall review the position to see what tightening up is required.
3
I
I am sending a copy of this letter with one of yours
to Stephen Gomersall in Washington.
Juus
Dick
R D Clift
Hong Kong Department
cc: A C Galsworthy Esq
PEKING
S Gomersall Esq WASHINGTON
SECRET