GRS 200
CONFIDENTIAL
TOP COPY 114
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO DESKEY 04090OZ F CO
TELNO 1797
OF 040507Z SEPTEMBER
MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS.
1. THERE IS INTENSE PRESS AND MEDIA INTEREST HERE IN MR LUCE'S APPOINTMENT AS MINISTER OF THE ARTS AND CIVIL SERVICE, IN THE APPOINTMENT OF HIS SUCCESSOR, AND IN THE FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS FOR DEALING WITH HONG KONG AFFAIRS AT MINISTERIAL LEVEL IN THE FCO.
2. THERE IS NATURALLY SPECULATION ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE
CHANGES FOR HMG'S POLICY AND DEGREE OF INTEREST IN HONG KONG
AFFAIRS. ALTHOUGH IT WILL BE SELF EVIDENT IN LONDON IT WILL BE
VERY IMPORTANT TO BRING OUT CLEARLY FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION HERE
WHAT THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE AND THAT CLOSE MINISTERIAL
INTEREST IN THE AFFAIRS OF HONG KONG WILL BE MAINTAINED.
3. WE SHOULD THEREFORE BE GRATEFUL IF AT THE TIME OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS YOU COULD TAKE THIS INTO ACCOUNT AND IF WE COULD RECEIVE A COPY OF ANY ANNOUNCEMENT IMMEDIATELY IT IS MADE OR PREFERABLY A SHORT TIME BEFORE.
4. THERE WILL ALSO BE INTEREST IN WHETHER MR LUCE'S SUCCESSOR
WILL CARRY OUT HIS PLANNED VISITS TO CHINA AND HONG KONG. IF THERE
ARE TO BE ANY CHANGES AN EXPLANATION WILL BE REQUIRED TO
DEMONSTRATE THAT CANCELLATION DOES NOT IMPLY REDUCTION OF
INTEREST. COMMENT FROM CORRESPONDENTS IN LONDON BROADCAST ON THE
HONG KONG RADIO THIS MORNING WERE TAKING THE LINE THAT IT IS
NORMAL FOR NEW APPOINTEES TO TAKE OVER THE DIA Y OF MINISTERS WHOM
THEY SUCCEED WITHOUT CHANGE.
YOUDE
LIMITED
HKD
FED
SEAD PS/ MR LUCE
MR WILSON
CONFIDENTIAL
HHH 027/6
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
-
4 SEP 1985
DESK OFFICEH INDEX
PA
REVIS
Сва
Action Taken