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016712
MDHIAN 3134
ние 18214
05 JUL 1991
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FM PEKING
TO DESKBY 28123OZ F C Q
TELNO 982
OF 281147Z JUNE 91
INFO FLASH HONG KONG
X
SK OFFICER
INFO IMMEDIATE UKREP JLG HONG KONG
You
CONFIRMATION COPY
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TEXT ALREADY FAXED TO ADDRESSEES.
HONG KONG STRICTLY PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR OR POLITICAL ADVISER. UKREP JLG HONG KONG PERSONAL FOR GALSWORTHY.
PADS SECRET.
HONG KONG AIRPORT: PRIVATE TALKS: PRESS.
1. GRAHAM HUTCHINGS (DAILY TELEGRAPH) HAS GOT WIND OF SIR PERCY CRADOCK'S VISIT HERE AND HAS ASKED COATES FOR CONFIRMATION. COATES DECLINED TO COMMENT BUT UNDERTOOK TO GET BACK TO HUTCHINGS BEFORE HE FILED HIS STORY.
2.
IT IS A GREAT PITY THAT THE NEWS HAS LEAKED WHILE SIR P. CRADOCK IS STILL HERE. IT WILL COMPLICATE OUR LIFE AT A TIME WHEN WE HAVE NOT YET REACHED THE AGREEMENT WE ARE SEEKING, AND THE CHINESE MAY SUSPECT SOME BRITISH TRICK. WE ARE BOUND TO BE BESIEGED BY THE PRESS, PARTICULARLY THE HONG KONG PRESS ONCE HUTCHINGS GETS HIS STORY OUT. WE HAVE CONSIDERED WITH SIR P. CRADOCK WHETHER A NO COMMENT OR PRIVATE VISIT LINE WOULD BE CREDIBLE AND HAVE CONCLUDED THAT IT WOULD NOT, AND THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER TO COME CLEAN BY SAYING THAT SIR P. CRADOCK IS HERE FOR HIGH LEVEL TALKS CONCENTRATING ON HONG KONG, AND TO REFUSE TO COMMENT FURTHER.
3. WE THOUGHT IT RIGHT TO EXPLAIN THE SITUATION TO THE CHINESE BEFORE SAYING ANYTHING FURTHER TO HUTCHINGS.
IN THE MEANTIME YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THE STORY IS BOUND TO
BREAK VERY SOON.
MCLAREN
Redacted under FOI exemption sections 27 (1)(a), (c), (d)
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