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3. I SHALL OF COURSE ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRIEF MR HAWKE ABOUT THE CURRENT SITUATION IN HONG KONG.
4. I HAVE SEEM NOTHING IN THE TELEGRAMS TO SUGGEST THAT THE AUSTRALIANS ARE LOOKING FOR GUIDANCE ON WHAT MR HAWKE MIGHT SAY ABOUT HONG KONG IF THE SUBJECT COMES UP IN HIS DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINESE LEADERS. BUT IF MR HAWKE ASKS WHETHER THERE IS ANYTHING HE CAN DO TO HELP I WOULD SUGGEST, SUBJECT TO YOUR VIEWS, THAT HE MIGHT STRESS:
(A) AUSTRALIA'S SUBSTANTIAL TRADE WITH AND INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG, AND HENCE THE INTEREST OF THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT IN AN AGREEMENT WHICH WILL ENSURE THAT IT REMAINS A MAJOR FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL CENTRE.
(B) THE IMPORTANCE OF CONFIDENCE, AND THE NEED IN THAT CONTEXT FOR CREDIBLE ASSURANCES OF CONTINUITY IF THE TERRITORY'S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY ARE TO BE PRESERVED.
EVANS
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
HD/PUSD
HD/PLANNING STAFF
D/HD/PUSD (MR FLOWER)
RES.B. (MR WALKER)
LEGAL ADVISER (SIR IAN SINCLAIR
PS
PS/LADY YOUNG
PS/MR LUCE
PS/PUS
SIR J BULLARD
SIR. W. HARDING
MR DONALD
MR WRIGHT
SIR 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
SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING STREET
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