CONFIDENTIAL
6. AS SEEN FROM HERE, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE PRIME MINISTER SHOULD SPEAK AT THE SIGNATURE CEREMONY. THE SIGNATURE CEREMONY IS ALMOST CERTAIN TO BE CARRIED LIVE ON TELEVISION HERE (AS THE INITIALLING CEREMONY WAS), AND IT WOULD BE VERY FLAT WITHOUT SPEECHES OF SUBSTANCE. IN THE EYES OF THE LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL PRESS AND COMMUNITY THE SIGNATURE WILL BE THE MAIN EVENT OF THE VISIT. WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE FOR THE PRIME MINISTER TO SPEAK AT THE SIGNATURE CEREMONY ON THE AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG IN THE CONTEXT OF OVERALL SINO-DRITISH RELATIONS, AND MORE BRIEFLY AT THE BANQUET TO BE GIVEN BY THE CHINESE ON THE VALUE OF HER DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE LEADERS ON WORLD ISSUES? THIS WOULD DOVETAIL WELL WITH A SPEECH HERE ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
YOUDE
HONG KONG AGREEMENT
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
HD/PLANNING STAFF
HD/PUSD
L-
DEP HD/PUSD
HD/PROTOCOLD
RESEARCH DEPT (MR WALKER) PS
PS/MR LUCE
PS/PUS
SIR W HARDING
MR WILSON
SIR J FREELAND
CONSENTIAL
COPIES TO:(VIA ADR)
MR ROBERTS, NEWS DEPT
MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS MR BURROWS, LEGAL ADVISERS
MR MARTIN, ASST STAFF CABINET
OFFICE
MR CARTLEDGE, CABINET OFFICE MR COLVIN, CABINET OFFICE SIR P CRADOCK, NO 10 DOWNING ST SIR P CRADOCK, ROOM K195