X

The fant

Mr Downs

HKD)

It might be as well

for is Paul to permate the Mo) wshow her their popres responce (x) befre issues. гарак (х)

between the

FROM:

A R Paul

l

Hong Kong Department

2)

DATE:

Exchange

7 June 1990

The IG or Corlo

Chanclrized h

high

have wen

level

CC:

Mr McLaren

o vituperation

Mr Burns

Mr Stme

(Tonite Mr McLaren's

HONG KONG: ROYAL NAVAL PRESENCE AFLOAT

Suggestion, with which I

1.

You asked me where matters now stood on this. age.

to someme in

Should I

Speak

Mon?

2. We have spoken to the relevant part of the Hong Kong Government. They have just finalised their response to the MOD, which they expect to issue in a few days. It will explain why Hong Kong cannot accept the MOD's proposal for dealing with the financing problem. But it will put forward alternative proposals designed to be helpful. It will, as I understand it, focus on Hong Kong paying more initially, and getting a larger share of the proceeds of the sale of stores

later.

17

3.

It is difficult to judge whether this is likely to resolve this matter. But we shall be receiving a copy of

the Hong Kong Government's response. At this point, I fear we are going to have to take a rather closer interest in the negotiations than hitherto. This could have the makings of a major row. But with careful handling, this should be

avoidable.

ARPac

A R Paul

MOPACA/1

CONFIDENTIAL

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