GR 300
DESKBY FCO 13123OZ
FM PEKING 13110OZ
SECRET
TO IMMEDIATE FCO.
TELEGRAM NUMBER 424 OF 13 MARCH
INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
178
SEORET
HIKK0401!
RECEIVED IN RESTY
INDEX
14 MAR 1984
HONG KONG TELNO 661 AND YOUR TELNO-1 Lapt UTOR
Eiter
OP COPY
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ion E
281913
HONG KONG:
LEGCO MOTION
184
1. THE MUST LIKELY CHINESE REACTION IS A STRONG STATEMENT
IN THE CHINESE MEDIA CONDEMNING THE MOTION, PROBABLY IN THE FORM OF
A PEOPLE' DAILY OR XINHUA COMMENTARY. A STATEMENT BY THE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN IS LESS PROBABLE AS AN INITIAL REACTION,
BUT ONE COULD WELL DE PROVOKED BY PRESS QUESTIONS HERE. A STRONG STATEMENT AT THE 10TH ROUND IS ALSO LIKELY, AND IT IS VERY POSSIPLE THAT THE CHINESE WOULD INSIST ON LEAVING OUT THE ADJECTIVES **USEFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE** IN THE COMMUNIQUE.
2. I CONSIDER POSTPONEMENT OF THE 10TH ROUND UNLIKELY.
I ALSO THINK IT UNLIKELY THAT THE CHINESE WOULD REFUSE VISAS TO EITHER THE POLITICAL ADVISER OR MRS AYLWARD. I BELIEVE THAT THEIR REFUSAL TO ALLOW THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR SECRETARY (GENERAL DUTIES) TO COME TO PEKING IS ALREADY A RESPONSE TO THE LEGCO BUTION, AND THAT THEY ARE UNLIKELY TO GO FURTHER IN THIS RESPECT. 3. I AGREE WITH THE REACTIONS PROPOSED IN YOUR TUR TO THESE DEVELOPMENTS.
4. IT IS JUST POSSIBLE THAT WHEN THEY SEE THE WAY THE MOTION IS HANDLED THE CHINESE WILL DECIDE THAT IT IS NOT QUITE AS THREATENING TO THEIR POSITION AS THEY EVIDENTLY NOW ANTICIPATE. I WOULD NOT THEREFORE ENTIRELY RULE OUT A MORE TEMPERATE REACTION. MUCH WILL DEPEND ON WHAT UNOFFICIALS SAY IN THE DIDATE.
EVANS
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
ER:OMMEND
PLANNING STAFF
D/PUSD
D/ED/PUSD
PES B. (MR FALKER)
LEGAL ADVISER (SIR IAN SINCLAIR
PS
PS/LADY YOUNG
PSA LUCE
PS/PUS
SER J BULLARD
SIR W HARDING
KA WILSON
KR FRIGHT
SIR C TICKELL
COPIES TO:
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL
PS/HOME SECRETARY
PS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXOSEQUER
PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL
PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY
COPIES TO: (VIA ADR)
MR ROBERTS NEWS D
HR BURROWS
LEGAL ADVS
MR COLES NO 10 DOWNING ST
MR MARTIN ASSESSMENT STAFF CABINET OFFICE
MR GOODALL CABINET OFFICE
MR BRENNAN CABINET OFFICE
PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE D PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL
SIR ? CRADOCK BI KIRS
SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING STREET
SECRET
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