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PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND OUR DECISIONS WILL BE TAKEN IN THE LIGHT

OF THE VIEWS WHICH ARE EXPRESSED. I HOPE THAT THERE WILL BE NO

DOUBT ON THIS SCORE ON THE PART OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.

4 ABOVE ALL I HOPE WE CAN MAINTAIN THE CLOSEST POSSIBLE

DIALOGUE OVER THE ISSUES THAT MAY ARISE DURING THE YEAR AHEAD.

WHEN I WAS IN HONG KONG LAST YEAR I EXPRESSED MY CONFIDENCE THAT

THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS WOULD BE ALIVE AT ALL TIMES

TO EACH OTHERS CONCERNS, AS WELL AS TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED

BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. FOR OUR PART THAT REMAINS A FIRM

INTENTION.

5. I ALWAYS PARTICULARLY VALUE OPPORTUNITIES TO DISCUSS MATTERS

WITH YOU PERSONALLY. I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU WILL BE VISITING A

NUMBER OF COUNTRIES IN WESTERN EUROPE DURING THE SECOND HALF OF

MARCH. MAY I SUGGEST THAT WE MEET AT SOME POINT DURING YOUR

TOUR? I SHOULD BE HAPPY TO TRAVEL TO ONE OF THE CITIES WHICH YOU

WILL BE VISITING FOR A DISCUSSION ON THE SAME LINES AS OUR LUNCH

IN BRUSSELS LAST MAY. THEREAFTER I UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE LIKELY

TO BE TOGETHER IN BANGKOK FOR THE FORTHCOMING MEETING OF ESCAP.

I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL IF WE COULD SET SOME TIME ASIDE

FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION, PERHAPS ON 22 APRIL BEFORE I LEAVE

BANGKOK FOR AUSTRALIA. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING WHETHER THESE

MEETINGS MIGHT BE POSSIBLE.

6. FINALLY MAY I SEND YOU MY BEST WISHES FOR THE YEAR OF THE

RABBIT.

HOWE

OCMIAN 2724

HONG KUNG AGREEMENT: RESTRICTED

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RESEARCH DEPT (FE)

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MR GILLMORE

MR WILSON

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