GPS320
CONFIDENTIAL
FUTURE EGRET
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 28041OZ NOV 34
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELEGRAM NUMBER 3626 OF 28 NOVEMBER
INFO PRIORITY PEKING
THE THREE 19TH CENTURY TREATIES
PERSONAL FOR SIR P CRADOCK FROM GOVERNOR
HICK
153
040/om.31
RECETOP COPY
2 8 NOV 1984
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
1. ONE POINT WHICH MIGHT COME UP IN THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE, AND WHICH IS ALMOST CERTAIN TO BE RAISED IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S PRESS CONFERENCE HERE, IS THE QUESTION OF THE VALIDITY OF THE 19TH CENTURY TREATIES. WE WILL NEED TO CONSIDER WHAT LINE MINISTERS SHOULD BE ADVISED TO TAKE.
2. AS SEEN FROM HERE, THE LINE MIGHT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS:
(1) THE (DRAFT) AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR THE RESTORATION OF MONG KONG TO THE PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA WITH EFFECT FROM 1 JULY 1997, AND FOR HMG TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TERRITORY BEFORE THAT DATE. THE THREE TREATIES ARE A PART OF HISTORY BUT WE SHOULD NOW LOOK FORWARD TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT RATHER THAN DWELL ON THE PAST.
(11) IT IS TRUE THAT THERE WERE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO
SIDES AT THE OUTSET OF THE TALKS, ON SOVEREIGNTY AND ON OTHER THINGS. THE PRIME MINISTER SAID IN HER PRESS CONFERENCE IN
SEPTEMBER 1982 THAT IT WAS BEST UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES TO
ENTER INTO TALKS IN ORDER TO ARRIVE AT AN AGREED SOLUTION. THAT
IS EXACTLY WHAT HAS BEEN DONE IN THE AGREEMENT AND THE ASSOCIATED MEMORANDA.
(111) (IF PRESSED) UNDER UK LAW BRITAIN HAS SOVEREIGNTY OVER
HONG KONG ISLAND AND PART OF KOWLOON. IN ORDER TO RATIFY THE AGREEMENT IT WILL BE NECESSARY FOR PARLIAMENT TO PASS LEGISLATION
PROVIDING FOR THE TERMINATION OF BRITISH SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997.
3. YOU AND PEKING WILL NO DOUBT BE ABLE TO THINK OF OTHER POINTS
WHICH MAY NEED TO BE COVERED. IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO REACH AN AGREED VIEW BETWEEN US FAIRLY SOON.
ku. Burrows
has cannered
YOUDE
LIMITED
HD/HKD HD/FED MR WILSON
COPIES TO:-
SIR P. CRADOCK
MR FIFOOT LEGAL ADVISERS ME BURROWS
CONFIDENTIAL
LEGAL ADVISERS