CODE 18-77
Mr Paul
+ Boul
& Mr. Burno
ва
SECRET
Reference..
Mr Stone
Before anything is
1,44
Said to SE((0) (c) could
we please have a word?
VISIT TO HONG KONG: 8-13 OCTOBER: ROYAL NAVAL PRESENCE
AFLOAT
Win
1. Bits of HKG are very twitched about this subject and the
Governor may have already communicated with you. HKG are
not going to go to FC over this and the gung ho mood is to let the vessels go as originally planned. Part of the thinking is that this would save HK $ 400 million on a new
naval base which the Chinese may not accept as theirs out of spite.
2.
I think the talk of allowing the vessels to go is
bluster, but we must clearly try to come to an accommodation
with the MOD. HKG have indicated a form of words to me
which I shall discuss with SEC(O)(C). I believe it will
allow both sides to feel that honour has been satisfied.
HKG do not want to have to discuss this with the MOD team
which is going there in December.
M V Stone
15 October 1990
EELAIS/1
SECRET