•HOFO 043/7
00 FCO (DESKBY 07120OZ
GPS 200
CONFIDENTIAL
DESK BY 0712OOZ
FM HONG KONG 0709O5Z NOV 83
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
My Hear
ное
TELEGRAM NUMBER 1690 OF 7 NOVEMBER 1983
HRAED Top Appy for ending
커
"1
PERSONAL FOR CLIFT FROM GOVERNOR
YOUR TELNO 1139
1. NO ONE IN THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS SPOKEN TO
ANY MEMBER OF THE PRESS ON MR ADLEY. HASE OF HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH
PROVIDED RTHK AND SCMP WITH FACTUAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT
HIM.
2. AT A PRESS BRIEFING WITH SHA, BRAY WAS ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WAS UNEASY ABOUT THE VISIT OF MR ADLEY. THE ENSUING DISCUSSION WHICH WENT ON FOR SOME TIME INCLUDED SEVERAL SUGGESTIONS BY THE PRESS IN A RATHER LIGHT-HEARTED WAY OF THINGS THE GOVERN- MENT COULD DO. BRAY REPLIED SAYING IT WAS ENTIRELY UP TO THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES AS TO WHETHER THEY WOULD SEEK OUT MR ADLEY AND, IF SO, WHAT THEY WANTED TO SAY TO HIM. THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PLAY NO PART IN INFLUENCING APPROACHES BY THE PUBLIC TO MR ADLEY. THE GOVERNMENT WOULD OFFER ASSISTANCE IN ARRANGING MEETINGS ETC. FOR MR ADLEY IF THIS WAS WANTED. THIS OFFER IS MADE TO ALL MP'S VISITING OR PASSING THROUGH HONG KONG. IT WOULD BE UP TO MR ADLEY TO DECIDE WHETHER TO TAKE UP THE OFFER.
3. THUS NO COMMENTS TO THE PRESS WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TRACE COULD POSSIBLY BE PORTRAYED IN THE WAY REPORTED TO MR ADLEY. THE SECRETARY OF STATE MAY WISH TO TELL HIM THIS.
4. IF THE STORY BECOMES PUBLIC DURING MR ADLEY'S VISIT WE SHALL NEED TO BE READY TO COMMENT. DEPENDING ON THE REPLY THE SECRETARY OF STATE DECIDES TO SEND HIM, WE WOULD PROPOSE SIMPLY TO SAY THAT WE CAN FIND NO EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE ALLEGATION.
YOUDE