:
SECRET
12/3/4
122
FROM: R D CLIFT,
HKD
DATE: 12 March 1984
attached
A,B,C,D,E
F
G
Private Secretary
Tuce
BY/M Lice
Tel to issue
In the fearch of State's
absence abroad Mr
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might wish to see
cc: PS/Mr Luce PS/PUS
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Sir P Cradock Sir W Harding Dr Wilson
Sir I Sinclair
Mr Burrows, Legal
Advisers
Mr Thomson,
FED
Mr Walker, Research Dept Mr
Hil in der Roberts, News Dept
वनि pfe?) Schetts
(mon I see sefore despatial pre
FUTURE OF HONG KONG: TIMETABLE AND LEGCO MOTION
12/3
1. Peking telnos 402-406 reported on the Ambassador's dinner with Zhou Nan. Hong Kong telno 649 suggests that the Ambassador should revert to the question of the LEGCO debate. Peking telno 419 comments on this. HKKQ40||
(175
HKK040|1
2. I submit a draft telegram, largely drafted by Sir P Cradock, to Peking instructing the Ambassador to take up, before the LEGCO debate, both the question of the timetable and the debate itself. It is very important to discourage the Chinese strongly from any hasty reaction which might result in their becoming publicly committed to a timetable which we could not meet, specifically the idea of signature of an agreement by September.
3. I have discussed with the Governor on the telephone the Secretary of State's thought that Mr Lobo might withdraw his motion on Wednesday after it has been debated. The Governor thinks this would be impracticable and would be misunderstood in Hong Kong. People would not see it there as legitimate Parliamentary procedure but as a retreat.
(77
see
123
However the Governor has seen a number of draft speeches by LEGCO members. They are so far very responsible. They do not suggest a veto by LEGCO nor do they press for continuing British administration.
Bliss
12 March 1984
RB Clift
HKK040114 Hong Kong Department
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