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5. IF ASKED WHETHER A FINAL AGREEMENT WILL BE DISCUSSED OR TALBED DURING THE TALKS YOU SHOULD SAY THAT IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR HMG TO DIVULGE DETAILS OF THE TALKS. BOTH SIDES HAVE AGREED ON THE NEED FOR CONFIDENTIALITY AND THAT MUST BE RESPECTED.
6. YOU SHOULD DENY ANY SUGGESTION THAT THE VISIT IS INDICATIVE OF A DEADLOCK OR IMMINENT BREAKDOWN IN THE TALKS. SUCCESSIVE ROUNDS OF THE TALKS HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED BY BOTH SIDES AS ''USEFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE'. SUCH TERMS ARE CLEARLY NOT DESCRIPTIVE OF ANY CRISIS. THE TALKS ARE PROCEEDING IN A FRIENDLY MANNER AND PROGRESS IS BEING MADE.
7. IF ASKED ABOUT PARTICIPATION IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S DELEGATION, YOU SHOULD SAY THAT HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR BUT THAT OTHER DETAILS OF THE DELEGATION HAVE NOT YET BEEN DECIDED.
8. (BEGIN UNDERLINING) S OF S'S VISIT TO HONG KONG (CEASE UNDERLINING): THIS WILL FOLLOW THE VISIT TO PEKING. IT WILL PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO GET A FIRST HAND IMPRESSION OF HONG KONG AND TO LISTEN TO A WIDE RANGE OF VIEWS. THE VISIT EMPHASISES THE CONTINUING IMPORTANCE ATTACHED BY MINISTERS TO REMAINING IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH OPINION IN HONG
KONG.
9. (BEGIN UNDERLINING) EXCO VISIT TO LONDON (CEASE UNDERLINING): THE DELEGATION, WHICH WILL CONSIST OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE GOVERNOR, WILL VISIT LONDON FROM 3 TO 6 APRIL. WHILST IN LONDON THEY WILL CALL ON MINISTERS AS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROCESS OF CONSULTATIONS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
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