CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 2761
OF 121115Z SEPTEMBER 90
CONFIDENTIAL
161
004576
MDHIAN 8608
RECC
TOP CO Q DIST
TRY
SEP 1990
PERSONAL FOR PAUL, HKD, FROM GOVERNOR
YOUR TELNO 1686: VISIT OF LORD CAITHNESS MEETINGS WITH EXCO AND OMELCO
1. THE ITEMS LISTED FOR LORD CAITHNESS'S MEETING WITH EXCO ARE ONES THAT THE NON-OFFICIALS WISH TO RAISE WITH HIM. I THINK IT IS RIGHT THAT THE DISCUSSION SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON MATTERS OF IMMEDIATE IMPORTANCE, PARTICULARLY AS THIS IS THE MINISTER'S FIRST VISIT TO HONG KONG. BUT IF THERE IS TIME AT THE END OF THE MEETING, THEN LORD CAITHNESS COULD RAISE THE ISSUE OF EXCO/LEGCO RELATIONS BRIEFLY, TO SHOW THAT HE IS AWARE OF THE THOUGHT BEING GIVEN TO IT.
2. I WOULD WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THE MATTER INFORMALLY WITH THE MINISTER, PERHAPS DURING THE WEEKEND AT FANLING.
3. I DO NOT THINK THAT OMELCO SERIOUSLY EXPECT THE AU YEUNG CASE TO BE REOPENED. BUT LORD CAITHNESS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR GRUMBLES ABOUT THE APPLICATION OF RULE 58, AND POSSIBLY A SPECIFIC COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SHORT TIME WITHIN WHICH APPEALS MUST BE MADE. IT WOULD BE HELPFUL, ALTHOUGH I RECOGNISE THE DIFFICULTIES, IF THE MINISTER WERE ABLE TO ANNOUNCE THAT IN THIS CASE THE PERIOD WOULD BE LENGTHENED SO THAT AU YEUNG HAD A CHANCE TO MAKE AN APPEAL. THE MAIN THRUST OF WHAT PEOPLE SAY IS LIKELY TO BE THE CONTRADICTION BETWEEN HMG'S EFFORTS TO GET OTHERS TO BE FLEXIBLE AND THE TIGHTENING OF UK PROCEDURES AS DEMONSTRATED BY THE AU YEUNG CASE AND DESPITE MINISTERIAL ASSURANCES TO THE CONTRARY.
WILSON
YYYY