}
GRS 270
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 15113OZ FCO
TELNO 159
;
OF 15104OZ JANUARY 86
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
CONFIDENTIAL
104A
SELECTORS FILE COPY
MAN 040/4
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY - 7 FEB 1986
DESK OFFICER INDEX
REGISTRY
PA
Action Taker
FOLLOWING PERSONAL FOR WILSON, AUS ASIA FROM GOVERNOR.
YOUR TELNO
1. MANY THANKS FOR YOUR EFFORTS. AT THIS MORNING'S MEETING OF EXCO SIR S Y CHUNG WAS LEAST DISPOSED TO ACCEPT THAT A WILLINGNESS TO
KEEP AN OPEN MIND ON THE PART OF HMG WAS AS MUCH AS WE COULD EXPECT AT THIS STAGE, PARTICULARLY AS FAR AS THE ENDORSEMENT IN THE PASSPORT WAS CONCERNED. HE WAS DISPOSED TO ARGUE THAT SHOULD GET ON A PLANE TONIGHT TO REPRESENT MORE DIRECTLY TO MINISTERS THE FEELING IN HONG KONG, AND PARTICULARLY AMONG UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS, ON THIS ISSUE. HIS COLLEAGUES WERE NOT DISPOSED TO AGREE THAT THIS WOULD
BE A WISE MOVE. THEY TOOK THE VIEW THAT IF THE EVENTUAL DECISION WAS
NEGATIVE THE WORST THING WOULD BE FOR THE GOVERNOP TO TRAVEL TO
LONDON TO BE TURNED DOWN. IN ANY CASE A REFUSAL WOULD NOT BE THE END
OF THE DAY BECAUSE THEY WOULD CONTINUE THE BATTLE. IF ON THE OTHER
HAND (AND AS THEY FERVENTLY HOPED) HMG WAS MOVED TO AGREE TO THE
ENDORSEMENT IT WOULD BE A SUBSTANTIAL BOOST TO THE REPUTATION OF THE
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IF THE GOVERNOR VISITED LONDON A FEW DAYS
BEFORE THE DECISION WERE ANNOUNCED AND WAS ENTHER THERE AT THE
TIME OR ABLE TO BRING IT BACK WITH HIM.
2. THERE IS NO NEED TO COME TO CONCLUSIONS ON THESE MATTERS NOW
BUT REPORT THEM TO YOU AS AN INDICATION OF THE THINKING OF EXCO
UNOFFICIALS WHO ARE MUCH CONCERNED THAT THE REPUTATION AND THE
AUTHORITY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BE DAMAGED AND
SHOULD, IF POSSIBLE, BE ENHANCED IN THE COMMUNITY BY THE OUTCOME.
YOUDE
LIMITED
HKD
MR WILSON
CONFIDENTIAL