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112
artiche.
pra. pom
洳
142=9/6
Append to and holding reply.
13 June 1989
McLeighorer
4229/6
Your reference
I R Whitehead Esq News Department
FCO
Our reference
LONDON
HKP 30111
Date
Dear lan.
pl. discuss
W
20%
WASHINGTON TIMES OP-ED ARTICLE ON HONG KONG
I know that you have discussed with David Snoxell his letter of 9 June attaching a highly critical editorial in the New York Times.
1.
2.
This morning's Washington Post carries the attached op-ed article ("What Now of Those 'Guarantees' for Hong Kong") by someone called William Kennedy who sounds like a decaying analyst. It is way over the top and fires off in all directions. We do not intend to dignify it with a response and I don't think the Washington Post have done themselves much good by printing it.
3.
They were a bit sheepish when we mentioned it to them today.
But
But I send it in to show that the momentum is gathering in the American heavyweight press. I suspect we are in for a long haul and at some stage, possibly quite soon, we shall come to you for help in preparing a good article for the Washington Post. for the time being I hope we can concentrate our efforts in responding to the more serious criticism in the New York Times.
eve
FRANCIS CORNISH Counsellor, Information
cc: A Paul Esq, Hong Hong Dept.
RD Clift Esq, Political Adviser, Hong Kong K McGlynn Esq, HK Economic Office, New York D Snoxell Esq, BIS New York P Ricketts Esq, Washington