[
CONFIDENTIAL
CALL BY SIR PATRICK NAIRNE : 14 AUGUST
POINTS TO MAKE
1. Very pleased you are seriously considering invitation
for appointment as monitor. Appreciate difficult position.
you are in with regard to duties as Master. But HMG very much hope that you should if at all possible accept.
2. Perhaps the most difficult bilateral foreign policy problem facing us. Concern has been to find someone who could be
relied upon to understand the importance of it and the real nature of the choice facing Hong Kong, who understands the workings of Government in the UK, but who was not so closely associated with the FCO as to bring his impartiality into question. Also someone who could be relied on not to use the position as
is
a platform for self-aggrandisment (Academic connections definitely a plus from this point of view). Pointed strongly to a senior ex-civil servant of high reputation and stature, but not from
FCO.
3.
HMG attach great importance to
assessment exercise.
Parliament will wish to be assured that views of people of Hong Kong have been accurately reported.
Any queries on terms of reference of assessment office
or monitoring team?
4.
5.
Role of monitors is to observe all aspects of work of assessment office and submit report on whether office has properly discharged its duties. Will not receive expressions of public views or assess public opinion. Thus quite different from Pearce Commission.
6.
Quite likely that monitors will be focus of public and media interest. The Hong Kong media are persistent and not always responsible. You will no doubt also be approached directly with
CONFIDENTIAL
/expressions