SECRET
A
3.
timing and content
times of the
Recent discussions with NCNA have focussed on the
press statements to be issued by HKG and the Chinese, announcing the
January it was agreed that these should be made on
statement would be made at 9.00am, with the
clearance.
On 9
14 January: the HKG
"freezing" survey (a quick survey designed to establish who lives
where and who owns
statement, to be made
The Political Adviser
what) commencing at 10.00am.
The Chinese
in Peking, is expected to be made at 9.15am.
and the Deputy Head of NCNA will meet on 12
January to reach final agreement.
4.
Mr Pierce's letter of 5 January contains the latest draft
reports by Hong Kong and Chinese sides, theoretically prepared for
the information of each side's leader in the JLG, summarising their
discussions together with the draft HKG announcement.
5.
This question has throughout been
very well handled by the
Political Advisor's Office and NCNA. The Chinese statement will be
helpful and there are no further problems of any substance to be
covered. The candidate selected to chair the Special Committee has
agreed to his appointment and other possible
other possible committee members wil1
be approached
the bilateral
might create
difficulties
in
after the announcement. A major concern throughout
discussions has been the possibility of a leak which
serious political difficulties (as well as practical
the Walled City through a sudden rush of those
seeking to stake their claim to relocation in public housing).
such leak has occurred and, in the expectation that none will occur
between now and 14 January, we can reasonably hope for smooth
implementation of the clearance programme.
No
B 6. I am giving you separately a photograph of the Walled City which
graphically illustrates the nature
of
the site to be
cleared.
9 January 1987
SECRET
Theathing
liguen
A M Layden
Hong Kong Department