Dr Wilson
SECRET
118 DEC 1986
Private Secretary
FROM:
011/11 (549
CO Hum
Hong Kong Department
DATE:
18 December 1986
2
cc:
PS/Mr Renton PS/PUS
Mr Gillmore
HONG KONG: POSSIBLE POSTPONEMENT OF THE 1987 REVIEW
A
B
1.
The Secretary of State will hold a short office meeting to discuss
this tomorrow.
2.
2.30pm
I submit, as instructed, a brief paper setting out the options. It is
self-explanatory.
3.
I also attach the following background papers:
(i)
(ii)
C
(iii)
my exchanges with Hong Kong and Peking, which are reflected in the
options paper (FCO Telno 2889 to Hong Kong, Hong Kong Telnos 4172/3,
Peking Telno 2397, FCO Telno 2900 to Hong Kong and Hong Kong Telno
4187);
Hong Kong Telno 4186, assessing the current situation in the aftermath
of Sir E Youde's death. Paragraphs 10(a) and (b) are particularly
relevant.
Sir D Akers-Jones concludes that,
....
"There has been no local indication whatsoever that the public
want to see the [Green] Paper postponed: rather the reverse. Any
decision to postpone the Green Paper would be seen locally.. as a
significant weakening of the administration in Hong Kong... and such
a move could not possibly get past ExCo and LegCo".
I assume however that this judgement does not apply to the proposed
option (b) in my paper;
Dr Wilson's minute of 10 December, my submission of 12 December and
Mr Renton's minute of 15 December, all of which touch on the
possibility of postponing the 1987 Review.
De latest telegrams from then
Koc
Suggest
unfortunately
the fucke postponement of as
yea
Colten
Hum
possible porivically. A lesser
H
post yourment, or prolong alone of the excercand in could stily helpin
SECRET