PS

ps/ilchuck copy Private Secrclay

CONFIDENTIAL

taken

Ja

Me Luce 7.

HKK 040/5

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

M/M Ghee of

L.

1 1985

FROM: A C Galsworthy, HKD

DATE:

10 December 1984

Mr Galsworthy, HKD o/r

Sir P Cradock

Thank

CC: Dr Wilson

You

Dalett

FUTURE OF HONG KONG: DESPATCH

Mr Elliott, FED

NEGOTIATIONS

m

H. 10/1

8/113

3

ets/Led, Yovery

cc

Siilo. Hardy

1. I submit a despatch from Sir R Evans on the negotiations which

led up to the initialling of the Hong Kong agreement on 26

September.

2. The despatch is divided into five sections:

(a) An account of the negotiations (paras 2-12): This section

gives a largely factual account of the negotiations from the Prime

Minister's visit until 26 September. This may provide a useful

summary for those in Whitehall who have not followed the

negotiations as closely as we have. The Ambassador divides the

negotiations into four phases, which as he acknowledges is a

slightly artificial exercise.

(b) Negotiating Tactics: The Ambassador points out that these were

determined by the Chinese refusal to allow Hong Kong participation,

their reluctance to deal in an international treaty with what they

regarded as their internal affairs, and their suspicion of our

motives. The Ambassador deals with the technicalities of the

negotiations and pays a well earned tribute to his communicators and

the Working Groups, who he calculates worked at the rate of 50 words

per hour.

(d) The agreement: He concludes that the agreement was much beteer

than most had dared hope, and that the only real disappointments

were on nationality, defence and Government structure. He argues

CONFIDENTIAL

Page 15Page 16

Share This Page