UNCLASSIFIED
FM FCO
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG
TELNO 2447
OF 31143OZ DECEMBER 90
BBC EAST ASIAN RELAY STATION
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052602 MDLOAN 7549
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1. THE SUNDAY TIMES OF 30 DECEMBER CARRIES AN ARTICLE BY JON SWAIN HEADLINED ''PLANES THREATEN BBC'S POUNDS STG 10M LINK WITH CHINA' WHICH DRAWS ATTENTION TO FEARS THAT EMISSIONS FROM THE BBC RELAY STATION COULD SEND LOW-FLYING AIRCRAFT USING THE NEW LANTAU AIRPORT OUT OF CONTROL. THE REPORT STATES: QUOTE ACCORDING TO A PLAN FOR THE AIRPORT PREPARED FOR THE GOVERNMENT BY BECHTEL, THE BBC WILL HAVE TO CLOSE ITS RELAY STATION EARLY IN 1996 TO ELIMINATE THE DANGER TO AIRCRAFT UNQUOTE. COPY OF ARTICLE BEING SENT BY FAX.
2. THE QUESTION OF EMISSIONS FROM THE BBC RELAY STATION WAS GONE INTO AT THE TIME. THE BBC TELL US THAT, CONTRARY TO AN AMERICAN EXPERT VIEW, IT WAS AGREED THAT GIVEN THE TERRAIN AND THE NORTHWARD DIRECTION OF TRANSMISSIONS FROM THE RELAY STATION, EMISSIONS WOULD NOT AFFECT AIRCRAFT USING THE NEW AIRPORT. 3. GRATEFUL FOR YOUR COMMENTS ON THE SUNDAY TIMES ARTICLE, PARTICULARLY ON THE BECHTEL REPORT. BBC ARE MAKING SIMILAR ENQUIRIES OF THEIR STATION MANAGER.
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