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RESTRICTED
FM HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 10210OZ WELLINGTON
TELNO 13
OF 101105Z MAY 91
INFO DESKBY 10130OZ F C O
INFO IMMEDIATE CANBERRA, PEKING
011733
MDHIAN 5987
TOP COPY Q DIST? MWB ив
527
PERSONAL FOR HIGH COMMISSIONER
CANBERRA PLEASE PASS TO PS/GOVERNOR ON ARRIVAL
58
HONG KONG TELNO 15 TO CANBERRA:
NEW ZEALAND
PROPOSED VISIT OF GOVERNOR TO
1.
AS FORESHADOWED IN TUR, WE HAVE NO MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO RESUME TALKS WITH THE CHINESE ON THE NEW AIRPORT ON 18 MAY. AS A RESULT, THE GOVERNOR WILL HAVE TO FLY BACK DIRECT TO HONG KONG FROM SYDNEY ON 15 MAY. THIS WILL MEAN CANCELLING HIS VISIT TO NEW
ZEALAND.
2 =
HE HAS ASKED US TO TELL YOU THAT HE VERY MUCH REGRETS THAT IT HAS PROVED NECESSARY TO TAKE THIS STEP. HE WAS GREATLY LOOKING FORWARD TO HIS VISIT. AND HE IS SORRY TO HAVE PUT TO AND YOUR STAFF TO SO MUCH UNNECESSARY WORK.
HE WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD PASS THE FOLLOWING PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM HIM TO THE PRIME MINISTER:
3.
QUOTE:
I VERY MUCH REGRET THAT THE RESUMPTION OF TALKS WITH THE CHINESE ABOUT HONG KONG'S NEW AIRPORT WILL MAKE IT NECESSARY FOR ME TO FLY BACK TO HONG KONG ON 15 MAY AND TO CANCEL MY PROPOSED VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND.
I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO VISITING NEW ZEALAND AND TO MEETING YOU AND OTHER MEMBERS OF YOUR GOVERNMENT. I AM AWARE THAT A GREAT DEAL OF WORK HAS GONE INTO THE PREPARATION OF WHAT PROMISED TO BE A MOST INTERESTING PROGRAMME AND I APOLOGISE TO YOU, AND TO ALL THOSE WHO HELPED TO DRAW IT UP FOR YOUR WASTED EFFORTS.
I HOPE THAT IT WILL BE POSSIBLE FOR ME TO REINSTATE THIS
1
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