RESTRICTED
HKB 027/1
RECEIV
REGIST
4)
166050
MDLIAN 4296
30 JAN 1991 TOP COPI
QDIST?
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
Action Takeh
RESTRICTED
FM HONG KONG
TO ROUTINE WELLINGTON
TELNO 002
OF 28113OZ JANUARY 91
AND TO ROUTINE CANBERRA
INFO ROUTINE FCO, UKREP JLG HONG KONG
INFO SAVING AUCKLAND
-p/w
this file
YOUR TELNO 6': VISIT TO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
1. THE NEW ZEALAND COMMISSION IN HONG KONG HAS WRITTEN TO SUGGEST THE OUTLINE PROGRAMME AT MIFT FOR MY VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND IN MAY. IT PROPOSES THAT I VISIT WELLINGTON FIRST, THEN AUCKLAND.
2. THIS IS THE REVERSE ORDER OF THAT PROPOSED IN MY TELNO 11 TO CANBERRA AND IS LESS CONVENIENT BECAUSE IT MEANS DEPARTING SYDNEY EARLIER (1135 RATHER THAN 1515) OR ARRIVING IN WELLINGTON AFTER MIDNIGHT (WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO AVOID). THE EARLIER DEPARTURE WOULD STILL GIVE ME 24 HOURS IN SYDNEY, WHICH WOULD PROBABLY BE SUFFICIENT. I WOULD, FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, LIKE TO GO ALONG WITH THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT'S SUGGESTIONS IF POSSIBLE. BUT I WOULD LIKE CANBERRA'S CONFIRMATION THAT IT WILL CAUSE NO PROBLEMS AT THE AUSTRALIAN END BEFORE I GO FIRM ON IT.
3. IN OTHER RESPECTS, THE PROGRAMME IN MIFT LOOKS A USEFUL START. BUT I WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR COMMENTS ON IT.
4. I UNDERSTAND FROM THE AUSTRALIAN CONSUL-GENERAL THAT HIS GOVERNMENT HAVE DECIDED TO INVITE ME AS THEIR GUEST. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHEN THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT IS LIKELY TO TAKE A VIEW ON THE STATUS OF MY VISIT ?
5. WHATEVER THEIR DECISION, I AM AFRAID I AM GOING TO HAVE TO RELY VERY MUCH ON YOUR GOOD OFFICES FOR LIAISON WITH THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT, AND FOR SETTING UP SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS AND MEDIA CONTACTS. THE IDEAS IN PARA 3-4 OF TUR SEEM VERY SENSIBLE. GRATEFUL FOR ANY THOUGHTS ON HOW THEY MIGHT BE FITTED INTO THE SKELETON IN MIFT.
6. I HAVE JUST RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION OFFERING TO HOST A LUNCH OR DINNER FOR ME IN AUCKLAND, TO WHICH BUSINESS AND OTHER
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