SECRET
FM HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 16133OZ FCO
TELNO 4780
OF 16123OZ DECEMBER 87
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
SECRET
011/2
719
056655
MDHIAN 0632
HRB 011/2
RECEIVED NRS
t..
1 8 DEC 1987
DOCK OFF DER
PA
TOP COPY a DIST?
YOUR TELNOS 3255 AND 3267: WHITE PAPER TIMETABLE
THANYOU FOR THE EARLY WARNING OF MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR THE TIMETABLE FOR THE CLEARANCE OF DRAFT CHAPTERS OF THE WHITE PAPER. WE WILL OF COURSE TRY OUR BEST TO FIT IN WITH YOUR REQUIREMENTS. HOWEVER, WE FORESEE TWO DIFFICULTIES WITH THE TIMINGS SUGGESTED IN TURS:
(A) DUE TO OTHER COMMITMENTS WE SHALL NOT (NOT) BE ABLE TO SEND YOU THE SECOND DRAFT OF PAPER (A) ON 17 DECEMBER AS REQUESTED. WE SHALL HOWEVER, ENDEAVOUR TO TELEGRAPH IT TO YOU DESKBY 1809OOZ IF YOUR COMMENTS COULD REACH US DESKBY 22003OZ THEY COULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE EXCO DISCUSSION ON THAT DAY.
(B) THE MORE SUBSTANTIAL DIFFICULTY IS THAT EXCO WILL NOW ONLY HAVE ONE OPPORTUNITY (ON 22 DECEMBER) TO CONSIDER THE DRAFT OF PAPER (A) BEFORE IT IS SUBMITTED TO MINISTERS. GIVEN THE CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE OF THIS PARTICULAR CHAPTER, EXCO WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY WANT TO HAVE A SECOND OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON IT, IN THE CONTEXT OF A COMPLETE DRAFT OF THE WHITE PAPER, BEFORE THE TEXT IS FINALISED FOR HANDING OVER TO THE CHINESE. IT WOULD THEREFORE BE PRUDENT TO MAKE PROVISION FOR EXCO'S FURTHER COMMENTS TO BE CONSIDERED BY MINISTERS IF NECESSARY.
2. TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF ALL THE REQUIREMENTS, REVISED TIMETABLE FOR PAPER (A) AS FOLLOWS:
WE WOULD SUGGEST A
(A) 18 DEC: SECOND DRAFT SENT TO YOU AT OFFICIAL LEVEL. SAME DRAFT ISSUED IN PARALLEL TO EXCO TOGETHER WITH DRAFT ANNOTATED OUTLINE OF ENTIRE WHITE PAPER (SEE PARA 3 BELOW).
(B) 22 DEC: FCO OFFICIALS' COMMENTS ON ABOVE DRAFTS RECEIVED IN HK. DRAFTS CONSIDERED BY EXCO.
(C) 23 DEC: THIRD DRAFT OF PAPER (A) INCORPORATING EXCO'S COMMENTS TELEGRAPHED TO YOU. SUBMITTED TO SECRETARY OF STATE. TRANSLATION
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