SECRET
GR 300
SECRET
DESKBY 07093OZ
FM HONG KONG 070810Z MAR 84
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELEGRAM NUMBER 608 OF 7 MARCH
MIPT: FUTURE OF HONG KONG: MR WALTER SULKE.
TOP COPY
HKK0401
RECEIVED IN Newbiki DAR 1984
(163)
FOLLOWING IS A REVISED DRAFT OF A REPLY:
1. BEGINS:
THE PRIME MINISTER HAS ASKED ME TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LETTER OF 13 FEBRUARY ENCLOSING A COPY OF YOUR SPEECH TO THE ROTARY CLUB HONG KONG SOUTH ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. SHE ALWAYS WELCOMES THE VIEWS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE ABOUT THE TERRITORY'S FUTURE, AND THE CONTENTS OF YOUR SPEECH HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY NOTED. I SHOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON YOUR PROPOSAL THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOW WITHDRAW FROM NEGOTIATIONS AND AWAIT A UNILATERAL CHINESE STATEMENT BEFORE TESTING OPINION IN HONG KONG. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT FAVOUR AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH, NAMELY THE PURSUIT OF DISCUSSION WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ON THE ATTAINMENT OF THE COMMON OBJECTIVE WHICH IS THE CONTINUING STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG. IN OUR VIEW IT IS THIS ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS WHICH WILL BEST ASSIST THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG. WITH REGARD TO OPINION IN HONG KONG WE HAVE REPEATEDLY MADE IT CLEAR THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO THE SEARCH FOR A SETTLEMENT ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AS WELL AS TO THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE VIEWS OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE EXPRESSED IN SUCH FORA AS THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TO BE FULLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THROUGHOUT THE TALKS. THIS PROCESS OF CONSULTATION IS A CONTINUOUS ONE, AND WE ATTACH THE HIGHEST IMPORTANCE TO IT. ENDS.
Takel
16/3
see
164)
YOUDE
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
TTTEND
HD/HIND
ED/FED
ED/PUSD
/PLANNING STAFF
D/ED/PUSD
́RES.B. (MR WALKER)
LEGAL ADVISER (SIR IAN SINCLAIR
PS
PS/LADY YOUNG
PS/HR LUCE
PS/PUS
SIR J BULLARD
STR W HARDING KR WILSON
AIR WRIGHT
STR C TICKELL
COPIES TO:
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL
PS/HOME SECRETARY
PS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL
PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY
COPIES TO: (VIA ADR)
MR ROBERTS · NEWS D ́
MR 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 P CRADOCK RM K195
SECRET SIRP CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING STREET