CONFIDENTIAL
FM PEKING
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 715
CONFIDENTIAL
OF 180652Z MAY 91
INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG, UKREP JLG HONG KONG
FCO, PERSONAL FOR PAUL, HKD
22
041241
MDHIAN 7266
HKCE 182/4
RECEIVED IN RERIETTY
22 MAY 1991
INDEX
SK OFFICEA
ACTI
HONG KONG, PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR
?
HONG KONG TELNO 1540: NEW AIRPORT:
1
DISCLOSURE OF DOCUMENTS
WE FULLY AGREE THAT ANY COMPLAINT ABOUT THE LEAK SHOULD BE DELAYED UNTIL AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE CURRENT ROUND OF AIRPORT TALKS. WE SUGGEST THAT THE TONE OF OUR RESPONSE SHOULD BE ADJUSTED IN LIGHT OF PROGRESS MADE AT THESE TALKS. IF THE AIRPORT PROJECT IS AGREED THEN THE LEAK OF THE DOCUMENT, WHILST STILL A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE, IS OF LITTLE CONSEQUENCE AND SHOULD BE HANDLED IN A PRIVATE, AND PERHAPS LOW KEY, WAY. IF, ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AIRPORT TALKS COMPLETELY BREAK DOWN THEN THE CHINESE LEAKING OF THE DOCUMENT IS PERHAPS ANOTHER PROPAGANDA POINT FOR US, SINCE THEY HAD PROMISED CONFIDENTIALITY. BURNS CONCURS.
COATES
ANDREW
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
3
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