Bul
150
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HOLY SEE
TELNO 46
OF 04180OZ SEPTEMBER 90
CONFIDENTIAL
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INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG, PEKING, ROME, UKREP JLG HONG KONG INFO PRIORITY EMBASSY BRUSSELS
155376
MDHOAN 5955
BRUSSELS (FOR WEBB JOHNSON)
FCO TELNO 41: THE HOLY SEE AND CHINA
1 WE PROMISED TO REVERT IN EARLY SEPTEMBER ABOUT THE
·
POSSIBILITY OF A CALL ON THE VATICAN DURING THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT
TO ROME IN THE AUTUMN.
2.
ALTHOUGH RELATIONS WITH THE CHINESE HAVE IMPROVED SINCE TUR, CHINESE SENSITIVITIES ON RELIGIOUS ISSUES ARE LIKELY TO BE UNCHANGED. WE THEREFORE CONTINUE TO THINK THAT IT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE FOR THE GOVERNOR TO MEET A SENIOR VATICAN OFFICIAL
AT A SUITABLE SOCIAL EVENT RATHER THAN MAKING A FORMAL CALL.
3.
SUBJECT TO HONG KONG'S AND PEKING'S VIEWS, GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD NOW MAKE THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS IN CONSULTATION WITH WEBB-JOHNSON.
4. IF THE VATICAN WOULD WELCOME ANY FURTHER BRIEFING ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA AND HONG KONG, WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO ARRANGE FOR THIS TO BE DONE IN LONDON.
HURD
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ΜΑΙΝ
30
MINIMAL
HKD
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DISTRIBUTION
30
FED WED
1
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