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4. I TOLD SIR S Y CHUNG THAT FOR ME TO SEEK TO PREVENT THEM ACCEPTING THE INVITATION WOULD BE A PROPAGANDA GIFT TO THE CHINESE. WHATEVER THE POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS FOR THE NEGOTIATIONS, WE SHOULD NOT IN ANY WAY WISH TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION OF SEEKING TO PREVENT HONG KONG CHINESE TALKING DIRECTLY TO PEKING. INDEED A DIRECT EXPRESSION OF VIEWS IN THIS WAY COULD BE VERY HELPFUL. BUT AS A COURTESY I THOUGHT THAT I SHOULD LET YOU AND THE P.M. KNOW OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS SO THAT ANY COMMENTS YOU MIGHT HAVE COULD BE CONVEYED TO HIM BEFORE XU CAME BACK WITH HNS CONFIRMATION OF THE INVITATION. IF CONFIRMED THE CHINESE WILL BE THINKING IN TERMS OF A VISIT SOON AFTER THE DELEGATIONS RETURN FROM LONDON ON MAY 20/21.
5. I SHOULD THEREFORE BE GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD TELEGRAPH ANY COMMENTS YOU MAY WISH TO BE CONVEYED TO SIR S Y CHUNG AND MR LEE TO REACH HONG KONG BY 09003OZ. THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL THEN SPEAK TO SIR S Y CHUNG BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE FOR LONDON TOMORROW EVENING (MR LEE IS REMAINING IN HONG KONG).
HADDON-CAVE
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
ED/PLANNING STAFF
ED/PUSD
D/HD/PUSD
RES.B. (MR TALKER)
LEGAL ADVISER (MR FREELAND)..
PS
PS/LADY YOUNG
PS/M LUCE
PS/9US
SHR J BULLARD
SIR W HAFÐING
IR WILSON
ER FRIGHT
SIR C TICKENET,
2
COPIES TO:
BUCKINGHAM PALACK
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
MR. BURROWS
I ́EYS ́ ́D'
LEGAL IDYS
KR 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
BIR P CRADOCK MI KĪRS
SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING STREET
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