CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO 081020Z NOV 84
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
0 9 NOV 1984
DESK OFFICER
RE
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INDEX
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Action laken
TELEGRAM NUMBER 2203 OF 8 NOVEMBER
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INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
YOUR TELNO 3388: HONG KONG AGREEMENT:
DETAILED ASPECTS
1. WE ARE CONSULTING MINISTERS ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT WE SHOULD PUBLISH THE VIEWS OF ORGANISATIONS PRESENTED TO THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE AND WILL TELEGRAPH SEPARATELY SOON ON THIS
MATTER.
2. MINISTERS HAVE DECIDED TO PUBLISH THE REPORT OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE AND MONITORING TEAM TOGETHER IN ONE WHITE PAPER. WE WILL INCLUDE AN EXPLANATORY NOTE ON THE FIRST PAGE MAKING IT CLEAR THAT THE TWO DOCUMENTS ARE SEPARATE AND EXACTLY WHAT EACH IS. WE ASSUME THAT EACH REPORT WILL BEGIN BY QUOTING ITS PARTICULAR TERMS OF REFERENCE. WE BELIEVE THAT TO HAVE TWO SEPARATE WHITE PAPERS WOULD BE UNNECESSARILY CUMBERSOME AND MAKE
FOR CONFUSION IN THE DEBATE.
3.
WE PROPOSE THAT THE TITLE OF THE WHITE PAPER SHOULD BE 'HONG KONG: ARRANGEMENTS FOR TESTING THE ACCEPTABILITY IN HONG KONG OF THE DRAFT AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY.'
(I)
4.
REPORT OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE.
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(II) REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT MONITORING TEAM.' THE WHITE PAPER WILL OF COURSE CONTAIN NO COMMENTARY. IT WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE MISCELLANEOUS SERIES AND LAID BEFORE PARLIAMENT. OUR TIMETABLE FOR PRINTING WILL BE EXTREMELY TIGHT AND AS PREVIOUSLY CANVASSED WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TELEGRAPH AN ADVANCE DRAFT OF THE REPORT OF THE ASSESSMENT OFFICE ON FRIDAY
WE 23 NOVEMBER. THIS WOULD BE USED ONLY TO SET UP PROOFS. UNDERSTAND OF COURSE THAT THERE WILL PROBABLY BE FURTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE REPORT AFTER THAT DATE. THE FINAL REPORT MUST REACH US ON THE MORNING OF 27 NOVEMBER. WE AIM TO PUBLISH AT 9.00 AM LOCAL ON FRIDAY 30 NOVEMBER. THIS WILL BE THE LATEST WE CAN PUBLISH IF MPS ARE TO HAVE A REASONABLE TIME TO STUDY THE
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CONFIDENTIAL