CONFIDENTIAL
017 3
MDLOAN 6188
REFERENCE IN THE ANSWER TO HONG KONG, SO AS NOT TO PROVOKE PARLIAMENTARY INTEREST IN THE SPECIAL CASE OF HONG KONG. THEY HAVE ALSO TAKEN CARE NOT TO IMPLY THAT WE BELIEVE ABOLITION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT TO BE ESSENTIAL TO GOOD GOVERNMENT OR TO FULFILLING HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITMENTS.
L =
YOU WILL OF COURSE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE DURING HIS VISIT. WE ARE PROVIDING A DEFENSIVE LINE IN THE PRESS BRIEF JUST IN CASE THE SUBJECT IS RAISED. WE HAVE OF COURSE ALREADY AGREED WITH YOU A LINE TO TAKE (IN FCO TELNO 348 AS AMENDED BY HONG KONG TELNO
551).
HURD
YYYY
DISTRIBUTION
23
ΜΑΙΝ
23
LIMITED
HKD
WIAD
NNNN
SIR J COLES
MR BURNS
PAGE
2
CONFIDENTIAL