MARAGG

PS/Lord

10 FEB 1989

Glenarthur

4.

CONFIDENTIAL

FROM:

Y

DATE:

CC:

AR PAUL

Received at

Hong Kong Department

10 February 1989

Private Secretary

PS/PUS

Mr Gillmore

Mr McLaren

Mr Burns, News Dept

17:45

Mr Muir, Information Dept

HONG KONG: POSSIBLE INTERVIEW BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE WITH THE BBC

WORLD SERVICE

Problem

1. The Secretary of State has asked for advice about the merits of

him giving an interview with the BBC World Service on Hong Kong.

Recommendation

2.

I recommend that we try to identify a suitable early

opportunity for such an interview. I also recommend that the

Secretary of State discusses with the Governor of Hong Kong during

his forthcoming visit how such an interview might be angled to have

maximum impact on a Hong Kong audience. News Dept agree.

Background

3. Mr Burns submitted on 9 February a three point action plan to deal with the recent spate of unfavourable press coverage on Hong

Kong. I am now considering with News Dept the comments of Lord

Glenarthur recorded in Mr Court's minute of 10 February. In the

meantime I have agreed with Mr Burns that I will submit separate

advice on an idea for an interview for the BBC World Service.

CONFIDENTIAL

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