Mr Donald
PS
1
SECRET
FROM : R D Clift
Hong Kong Dept
DATE :
CC :
PS/Mr Luce
PS/PUS
FUTURE OF HONG KONG : BRIEFING THE OPPOSITION
Mr Giffard
Mr Thomson, FED
#
1
A 1. Para 4 of Mr Hum's minute of 31 October explained that we were
preparing briefing material on this subject for the Secretary of
State's use with Opposition leaders. This is attached.
B
C
2. The material is on lines similar to that provided for the
Secretary of State's briefing of the Conservative Foreign Affairs
Committee on 1 November. It has been updated to take account of developments since then and includes a defensive "Point to Make" in
case the Secretary of State is asked about the Prime Minister's
messages to Premier Zhao Ziyang.
the
fack)
3. The briefing for Mr Steel/Dr Owen reflects that they were briefed by Mr Pym on 5 May. The other, slightly more detailed material is designed for use with either Mr Kinnock or Mr Healey. Although the Prime Minister agreed earlier this year that Mr Healey could also be given a general briefing on Privy Councillor terms, the General Election intervened before this could be accomplished.
was considered) Thereafter we considered it appropriate first to await the outcome of the election for the Labour Party leadership.
done
4. I suggest that, if possible, the Secretary of State might aim to
brief Opposition leaders before the next round of Sino-British talks
on 14/15 November.
SECRET