RESTRICTED
FM HONG KONG
TO PRIORITY SINGAPORE
TELNO 8
OF 09120OZ SEPTEMBER 91
INFO ROUTINE FCO, WELLINGTON
148
RESTRICTED
105061 MDLIAN 8592
ранкв pa HKB 027/1
ED
YRTELNOS 10 AND 11 PROGRAMME FOR VISIT TO SINGAPORE
1. MANY THANKS FOR THE DETAILS IN TURS. THE PROGRAMME SEEMS TO BE TAKING SHAPE NICELY. I HAVE THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS ON IT:
(A) CEREMONIAL WELCOME AT THE ISTANA. CAN I AVOID THIS OR, AT THE VERY LEAST, HAVE IT TONED DOWN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE? IT LOOKS LIKE AN ARRANGEMENT FOR A HEAD OF STATE AND A BIT MUCH FOR A COLONIAL GOVERNOR. ANY CHANCE OF REMOVING THIS ITEM?
(B) I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFER OF ACCOMMODATION AT THE ISTANA AND DINNER ON MONDAY 18 NOVEMBER. PLEASE ACCEPT ON MY BEHALF. I SHALL BE ACCOMPANIED BY MY WIFE, A PRIVATE SECRETARY AND ONE OTHER OFFICIAL.
(C) THE MORNING MEETING WITH EDITORS SOUNDS EXCELLENT BUT I WOULD PREFER TO AVOID IT BEING OVER BREAKFAST, WHICH CAN BE A DISTRACTING BUSINESS. COULD WE MAKE IT A POST-BREAKFAST COFFEE MEETING STARTING AT 0915? OTHERS ATTENDING ARE WELCOME TO HAVE BREAKFAST AT THE SAME TIME (EXCLAM).
(D) THE CALLS PROPOSED LOOK GOOD.
T
(E) THE FORUM FOR THE SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT ALSO LOOKS FINE. I SUGGEST THAT THE TITLE OF MY SPEECH BE SHORTENED TO HONG KONG TO 1997 AND BEYOND' AND THAT IT LAST NO MORE THAN 20 MINUTES. I WOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE QUESTIONS AFTERWARDS FOR UP TO HALF AN HOUR. ANY LONGER THAN THIS AND IT BECOMES INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO HOLD THE AUDIENCES' ATTENTION. I HAVE NO OBJECTION TO SOME PRESS BEING PRESENT, BUT WOULD NOT WISH THE EVENT TO BECOME A PRESS CONFERENCE.
p
2. NOW THAT THE MAIN ITEMS IN THE PROGRAMME ARE FALLING INTO PLACE, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF YOU COULD NOMINATE A CONTACT PERSON WITH WHOM MY STAFF COULD GET IN TOUCH TO DISCUSS THE DETAILS.
1
PAGE RESTRICTED