SECRET
OD 130800Z
SECRET
MIKOUD SO
STRY
SOR©
REGISTRY
Action Taken
11719
56
FROM PEKING 13044OZ SEP 34
RECEIVED
1
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
DEAK OFFICER INDEX
PA
TELEGRAM NUMBER 2301 OF 13/3/84
INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
YOUR TEL NU 1154: FUTURE OF HONG KONG: WHITE PAPER
URGING CAUTION OVER
1. 1 OF COURSE AGPEC THAT THE CHINESE SHOULD DE SHUT OUT FROM PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO THE TEXT OF THE WHITE PAPER AND I SEE MERIT IN THE IDEA OF YOUR SENDING A
MESSAGE TO WU (1 ASSUME IN NEW YORK) PUBLIC STATEMENTS BY CHINESE LEADERS ABOUT THE AGREEMENT. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THAT THE PROPENSITY OF THE CHINESE TO COMMENT ADVERSELY IN PUBLIC ON THE WHITE PAPER WOULD BE REDUCED IF WE COULD SHOW THEM THE TEXT BEFORE IT IS PUBLISHED. I THEREFORE HOPE THAT YOU
CAN CONSIDER INSTRUCTING ME TO HAND OVER TO ZHOU
NAN A COPY OF THE FULL TEXT (THOUGH PRESUMABLY NOT THE
PRINTED DOCUMENT IN FINAL FORM), 24 HOURS
IN ADVANCE OF PUBLICATION, BUT IN DOING THIS TO
MAKE IT CLEAR THAT I WAS PROVIDING THE TEXT AS A COURTESY.
IF THE TIMING WAS RIGHT, I COULD AT THE SAME TIME GIVE
ZHOU A COPY OF YOUR MESSAGE TO #U (ASSUMING THAT YOU DECIDED TO SENO
OKE),
•
AT THAT STAGE IT WOULD BE OBVIOUS TO THE CHINESE
THAT, IF ONLY FOR PRACTICAL REASONS, NO AMENDMENTS
COULD BE ENTERTAINED. THIS WOULD OF COURSE BE IN ADDITION
TO MY GIVING ZHOU HAN A GENERALISED ACCOUNT OF THE CONTENTS
OF THE WHITE PAPER A FEW DAYS EARLIER.
EVANS.
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
HD/PLANNING STAFF
HD/PUSD
DEP HD/PUSD
RESEARCH D (MR WALKER)
LEGAL ADVISERS (SIR J FREELAND) PS
PS/LADY YOUNG
PS/MR LUCE
PS/PUS
SIR W HARDING
SIR C TICKELL
MR GOODALL
MR DEREK THOMAS
MR. BOYD
(REPEATED AS REQUESTED)
COPIES TO:-
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL PS/HOME SECRETARY
PS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL
PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY
COPIES TO:- (VIA ADR)
MR ROBERTS NEWS DEPT
MR BICKFORD LEGAL ADVISERS
MR FIFOOT LEGAL ADVISERS
MR POWELL NO 10 DOWNING ST.
MR INGHAM NO 10 DOWNING ST.
MR MARTIN ASSESSMENTS STAFF CABINET (
MR CARTLEDGE CABINET OFFICE
MR COLVIN
PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE
CABINET OFFICE
ROOM K195
PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL
SIR P CRADOCK
SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING ST.
SECRET