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PUBLICATION DATE IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 22 APRIL WOULD BE MORE REALISTIC, SINCE THE FOREWORD CANNOT BE FINALISED UNTIL AFTER THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO HONG KONG AND CHINA. AN ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE TO FOLLOW LAST YEAR'S PRACTICE WHEREBY THE REPORT WAS PUBLISHED IN LONDON ONE WEEK AHEAD OF ITS PUBLICATION IN HONG KONG. GRATEFUL FOR YOUR URGENT VIEWS ON THE TIMING OF PUBLICATION AND AN

INDICATION OF WHEN WE CAN EXPECT TO RECEIVE THE FINAL TEXT OF THE FOREWORD.

3.

GRATEFUL ALSO IF YOU WOULD NOTIFY US IMMEDIATELY OF ANY AMENDMENTS TO THE BODY OF THE REPORT MADE BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

WILSON

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SIR J COLES MR BURNS

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