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PROJECT DURING THE VISIT WOULD CREATE PRECISELY THE KIND OF SUSPICIONS WE SHOULD BE SEEKING TO AVOID (PARA 2 ABOVE). MOREOVER, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO APPROVE THE CONTRACTS COVERING THE FORMATION OF THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY AND THE SALE OF ELEC- TRICITY TO HONG KONG BEFORE THEY ARE SIGNED. THEY WILL WISH TO HAVE TIME TO EXAMINE ALL THE IMPLICATIONS CAREFULLY AND WILL RESENT BEING ASKED TO DO SO AGAINST ANY DEADLINE. THE ISSUES INVOLVED FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES IN HONG KONG GO WIDER THAN THE DAYA BAY PLANT.
4. FOR ALL THESE REASONS I WOULD RECOMMEND AGAINST MAKING GUANGDONG NUCLEAR PROJECT A MAJOR FEATURE OF THE PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT EVEN IF THE VARIOUS NEGOTIATIONS RELATING TO IT COULD BE COMPLETED IN TIME, WHICH I AM ADVISED IS VERY UNLIKELY. HAVING SAID THAT, 1 ENTIRELY ACCEPT THAT THE PRIME MINISTER WILL WANT TO USE THE OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY HER DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINESE LEADERS TO CARRY THE NEGOTIATIONS FORWARD.
YOUDE
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
HD/PLANNING STAFF HD/PUSD
DEP HD/PUSD
RESEARCH D (MR WALKER)
PS
PS/LADY YOUNG PS/MR LUCE PS/PUS
MR DEREK THOMAS
SIR W HARDING MR GOODALL MR WILSON
SIR J FREELAND
COPIES TO:-
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL PS/HOME SECRETARY
PS/CHANCELLOR OF TH EXCHEQUER
PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL
PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY
COPIES TO:- (VIA ADR)
MR ROBERTS NEWS D
MR FIFOOT LEGAL ADVISERS
MR BURROWS LEGAL ADVISERS
MR POWELL NO 10 DOWNING ST.
MR INGHAM NO 10 DOWNING ST.
MR MARTIN ASST STAFF CABINET OFFICE MR CARTLEDGE CABINET OFFICE
MR COLVIN CABINET OFFICE PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE
PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL
SIR P CRADOCK ROOM K195
SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING ST. MR KELLY
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TREASURY