CONFIDENTIAL
57517
1
THE PLANT IS BUILT.
5.
WE UNDERSTAND FROM OUR RECENT DISCUSSIONS WITH THE DREE THAT CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO EXTENDING EDF'S PERIOD OF
COLLABORATION BEYOND THE SIX MONTHS ENVISAGED IN EDF'S CURRENT CONTRACT. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THIS WOULD BE IN THE CONTEXT OF
YOUR NUCLEAR CO-OPERATION AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE.
6.
CONTINUING FRENCH INVOLVEMENT WOULD DO MUCH TO REASSURE THE
PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ABOUT THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE PLANT AND AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO THIS EFFECT BEFORE CONTRACT SIGNATURE WOULD CLEARLY HAVE A CONSIDERABLE CALMING INFLUENCE. WE ARE OF COURSE MINDFUL OF FRENCH CONCERNS ABOUT APPEARING TO QUESTION CHINESE CAPABILITIES AND RECOGNISE THAT ANY INITIATIVE IN THIS AREA WOULD
NEED TO TAKE FULL ACCOUNT OF CHINESE SENSITIVITIES.
7. WE APPRECIATE THAT A FIRM AGREEMENT ON A FURTHER COMMITMENT MAY NOT BE PRACTICABLE BEFORE THE MAIN CONTRACT SIGNATURES TAKE PLACE. HOWEVER WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL TO KNOW WHAT STAGE THE
DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE HAVE REACHED AND WHETHER ANY KIND OF
STATEMENT IS POSSIBLE BEFORE CONTRACT SIGNATURE IN THE INTEREST
OF ACHIEVING UNINTERUPTED PROGRESS.
8. WE LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING YOUR CONSIDERED RESPONSE AT AN
EARLY STAGE.
OCMIAN 7517
GUANGDONG
LIMITED
HKD
FED
NED
TRED
PUSD(MR CROWLEY) Wed
[COPIES SENT TO NO 10 DOWNING STREET]
PS
PS/MR RENTON PS/PUS
SIR W HARDING
MR DAUNT
MR WILSON
MR SLATER
ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION
GUANGDONG NUCLEAR
cofies To
D. T. I
APH DOWN HOUSE
CONFIDENTIAL
Page 45Page 46
OCMIAN 7513
CONFIDENTIAL
00 PARIS
FM INDUS TO PARIS
20112OZ AUG
GRS 270