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CONFIDENTIAL
From: RA Burns
Date:
Cc:
7 March 1991
1HKC026/2
* MAR 1991'
Private Secretary
Mr McLaren
Special Advisers
Mr Davies, FED
Miss Marsden, HKD
Mr Cornish, News Department
Mr Bates, PRU
By Fax
Sir A Donald, PEKING
Sir D Wilson, HONG KONG
Mr Galsworthy, JLG HONG KONG Mr Heap, BTC HONG KONG
PS/Lord Caithness
Private Secretary
CHINA AND HONG KONG : PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF A VISIT BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Problem
1.
At his meeting on 20 February, the Secretary of State asked me to consider how to construct a campaign to educate opinion and the media in this country about the value of a visit to Peking in April.
Recommendations
2.
I recommend that we try for an early announcement and that, in presenting the visit, we do not duck the issues of human rights, Tibet, and Chinese threats to Hong Kong. A comprehensive approach is needed, responding to the issues of concern but making the case for a "leap forward". I also recommend:
(a)
intensive lobbying of the media by Ministers and officials in London, Hong Kong and Peking;
(b)
(c)
particular lobbying of key media figures by the Secretary of State;
parallel oral briefings for Members of Parliament.
We will submit some bullpoints separately.
CONFIDENTIAL