PS/Mr Luce
MKKоtel
RECEIVED IN MEONTAY
INDEX
PA
21964
DATE: 15 FEBRUARY 1984
FROM: R CLARKE, NEWS
117
JA
¢c:
HKD
гра
& 10%
Mailz
Mr. Powell
104)
''SOUTH'' MAGAZINE:
REQUEST FOR INTERVIEW
1. The Advertisement Director of ''South magazine, Mr James Fleury, wrote to Mr Luce on 7 February requesting an interview on Hong Kong, China, the Middle East and Far East. Mr Fleury went on to say that the interview, to be conducted by one of the magazine's journalists, would concentrate largely on Hong Kong.
2.
South is a London-based economic and political monthly which first appeared in July 1981. With a claimed circulation of 60,000 in 161 countries, its editorial staff (largely Pakistani) see the magazine
a Third World equivalent of the Economist. Although it perhaps does not live up to their claims, it is a good magazine, albeit with a fairly strident editorial line. I attach this month's copy for reference.
3.
The interview bid is somewhat unconventional, coming, as it does, from the magazine's advertising director. Indeed the bid almost appears as a pretext for enquiring about an advertisement order placed by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) with Nova International, advertising agents for ''South'' in Hong Kong. According to Nova, HKTDC have made renewal of their order in September 1984 contingent upon a 'a final announcement from the British Government''. Given that ''South'' has many contacts in the office, and are aware of our policy of ''confidentiality'' I am inclined to see the bid in
1
these terms.
4. There is nothing in this for us. The time is not right for on the record interviews, and South would not be the obvious market, even if it were.
I recommend that PS/Mr Luce write to South Magazine, turning down the request and clarifying the matter of the announcement''. HKD and Hong Kong concur. I attach a draft reply.
Richard Clanke
R Clarke
/PS