SECRET FUTURE EGRET
14934
1
WEEK BEGINNING
5 MARCH:
CIRCULATION TO AND DISCUSSION WITH EXCO.
WEEK BEGINNING
12 MARCH:
3.
IF EXCO AGREE, PRESENTATION TO CHINESE. IF NOT FURTHER CONSIDERATION BY MINISTERS
WITH AIM OF RESOLUTION BY LAST WEEK IN
MARCH.
THE ABOVE IS PROBABLY THE BEST WE CAN DO ALTHOUGH WE SHALL SPEED THINGS UP AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. IT DOES ON THE FACE OF IT MAKE 22/23 FEBRUARY A REASONABLE BET FOR THE 9TH ROUND, BUT WE CANNOT PROMISE PAPERS TO THE CHINESE BY THEN.
4. ON THE OTHER OUTSTANDING PAPERS THE POSITION IS AS FOLLOWS: (A) SHIPPING: A DRAFT IS ALMOST COMPLETE HERE WHICH TAKES ACCOUNT OF THE VIEWS OF ALL CONCERNED. WE SHOULD BE TELEGRAPHING IT THIS WEEK.
(B) CIVIL AVIATION: COMMENTS AWAITED FROM HONG KONG IN THE LIGHT OF STEVENS VISIT THIS WEEK. SUBMISSION TO MINISTER AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE THEREAFTER.
HOWE
NNNN
DISTRIBUTION
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
MR DONALD
3
SECRET FUTURE EGRET
COPIES TO
SIR. P CRADOCK