141
055035
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE BTC HONG KONG
OF 17180OZ OCTOBER 91
TELNO 210
CONFIDENTIAL
RE
།
нко ут
484/2
MDHOAN 2973
1
28 OCTYSTOP GOPY
Q DIST?
PERSONAL FOR SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER FROM RICKETTS, HKD
YOUR TELNO 286: FUTURE BRITISH CONSULATE-GENERAL
1.
DURING HIS VISIT TO LONDON, THE GOVERNOR DISCUSSED THE CONSULATE-GENERAL WITH LORD CAITHNESS. THE GOVERNOR INCLINED TO WONDER WHETHER CO-LOCATION WAS IN THE BRITISH COUNCIL'S INTERESTS IN THE LONGER TERM. HE FORESAW THE POSSIBILITY OF A BACKLASH AGAINST BRITAIN IN THE YEARS AFTER 1997.
ORDINARY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG MIGHT NOT WANT TO BE TOO CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH OFFICIAL BRITAIN FOR A FEW YEARS.
2. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT YOU MIGHT DISCUSS THE OUTCOME OF YOUR MEETING ON THIS SUBJECT WITH THE GOVERNOR. THIS IS TO LET YOU KNOW OF THIS EXCHANGE, AND THAT THE GOVERNOR WOULD BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM WITH YOU.
HURD
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
138
DISTRIBUTION
141
.HK: FUTURE CONSULATE GENERAL
LIMITED
HKD
LEGAL ADVISERS
PUSD
INFO D
CONSULAR D
CRD
FED
FINANCE D
HESD
NTCD
OED
PLANNERS
PMD
RMD
SECURITY D
TSD
PS
PS/LORD CAITHNESS
PS/MR LENNOX-BOYD
PS/PUS
PAGE
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CONFIDENTIAL