CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO DESKBY 01010OZ HONG KONG
TELNO 219
OF 31150OZ JANUARY 91
CONFIDENTIAL
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HKB
18212
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TOP C Q
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177513
MDHOAN 6887
196
YOUR TELNO 270 : PADS : MEMORANDUM FOR THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
1.
AS YOU MAY KNOW, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WAS NOT INCLINED TO AGREE TO DEFER THE PREPARATION OF THE MEMORANDUM, ALTHOUGH HE EMPHASISED THAT A SHORT DOCUMENT, DRAWING ON EXISTING MATERIAL, WOULD SUFFICE.
2.
ACCORDINGLY, WE HAVE TAKEN ON THIS TASK AND ARE FAXING TODAY (TO PS/GH) A FIRST DRAFT OF THE MEMORANDUM FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
WE HAVE SOUGHT TO MAKE THE MEMORANDUM FACTUAL AND LOW KEY. FOR CONVENIENCE, AND IN ORDER TO EMPHASISE THE FACT THAT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROJECT RESTS WITH THE HKG, WE PROPOSE TO COVER THE FINANCING OF THE PROJECT BY ATTACHING AS AN ANNEX THE BRIEFING PAPER ON THE FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS, PRODUCED BY FINANCE BRANCH AND HANDED TO LEGCO IN EARLY DECEMBER. GRATEFUL FOR CONFIRMATION THAT THIS WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO YOU AND THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE PAPER REMAINS VALID AND ACCURATE. IF YOU SEE ANY PROBLEM OVER THIS APPROACH WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SOME ALTERNATIVE DRAFT PARAGRAPHS FOR INCLUSION IN THE MEMORANDUM.
4.
WE HAVE DELIBERATELY MADE THE SECTION ON YOUR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE SHORT AND BLAND. WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR VIEWS ON WHETHER MORE COULD AND SHOULD BE SAID.
5. GRATEFUL FOR A REPLY DESKBY 040930Z, SO THAT WE CAN SUBMIT A REVISED VERSION OF THE MEMORANDUM TO LORD CAITHNESS ON HIS RETURN FROM THE FAR EAST.
GRATEFUL IF A COPY OF THE FAX COULD BE SHOWN TO PS/LORD CAITHNESS AND BURNS (VISITING).
HURD
YYYY
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