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From:
R M Marsden
Hong Kong Department
Date:
23 August 1989
Mr Whitehead, News Dept
PS/Mr Maude
23 AUG 1983
ins
a
HbD 30111
нко
REQUEST FOR INTERVIEW: MR LEONARD RAYNER
CC:
л
A
Problem
Mr Leonard Rayner, a Hong Kong journalist and businessman, has
asked for an interview with Mr Maude. How to respond?
1.
Recommendation
B
2.
I recommend that Mr Maude declines this invitation and replies
in terms of the attached draft. The Hong Kong Government and
News Department have been consulted.
Background
3.
Mr Rayner is an editorial adviser to the Hong Kong Standard
and honorary regional adviser to the CBI. He has a somewhat mixed
reputation in Hong Kong. The Senior British Trade Commissioner
regards him as a useful contact and would see value in Mr Maude
offering to see him for five minutes. But he is held at arms
length by some in the Hong Kong Government. The Political
Adviser's Office, who had dealings with him as a journalist during
the negotiations leading up to the Joint Declaration, broke off
contact because his articles tended to distort the briefings he was given. On balance, therefore, I would not recommend that Mr Maude
see him.
Rosalind Mardan
R M Marsden