14/1036/8 2
ALIDENTIAL
LE COPI
COMMS OFFICE REG NO.
D.T.R. 8th AUGUST 1984 0700HRS.
(53)
CONFIDENTIAL
DESKBY 0801007 (08900 H.K TIME)
FM FCO 07164OZ AUGUST 84
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 1550 OF 7 AUGUST
AND TO IMMEDIATE PEKING
BBC RELAY STATION IN HONG KONG
1. PARAGRAPH 28 OF THE FOURTH REPORT OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE STATES THAT -
'OUR PREDECESSOR COMMITTEE STRONGLY SUPPORTED IN THE PAST THE
THE POSITION HAS ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONQ KONQ RELAY STATION. CHANGED IN SOME RESOECTS SINCE THEN IN THAT IT IS NOW CLEAR THAT SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONG KONQ WILL OASS TO CHINA IN 1997. THE IMOLICATIONS FOR THE OROOOSED RELAV STATION OF THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY SHOULD BE MADE CLEAR.'
2. IN OUR OROOOSED REPLY: WHICH WILL BE PUBLISHED (PROBABLY IN MID-CCTOBER). WE PROPOSE TO SAY
'HMG AGREED IN 1981 TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RELAY STATION IN HONG KONG IN THE YEARS 1985-88 IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT SECURITY OF TENURE COULD NOT BE GUARANTEED AFTER 1997. IT WAS RECKONED THAT ABOUT 9 YEARS' SECURE USE OF THE STATION REPRESENTED A REASONABLE RETURN ON THE
INVESTMENT. APPROVAL HAS NOW BEEN QIVEN TO THE BBC EXTERNAL SERVICES TO MAKE A START THIS YEAR, WHICH IT IS HOPED WILL ACCELERATE THE PROJECT. THUS POSSIBLY EXTENDING THE GUARANTEED
THE BBC ENJOY A HIG REPUTATION OERIOD OF USE OF THE STATION.
AND A WIDE AUDIENCE IN CHINA. THERE IS THEREFORE A REASONABLE
LIKELIHOOD OF
CONTINUED OPERATION AFTER 1997.
IF NOT. IT WOULD STILL BE OOEN
TO THE BBC TO REMOVE THE TRANSMITTERS AND MASTS AND USE THEM
ELSEWHERE.'
3.
923
GRATEFUL FOR ANY COMMENTS DESK BY 090900Z (091700 H.K TIME)
CON
CONFIDENTIAL
GOVERNM
3(GD)(3),PA, SHA, PS/GH
BECRE
84
645
TARIAT
GF
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