A
CONFIDENTIAL
HKD
RECEIV
826/13
8 AUG 1991
FICER
PA
why
Sir J Coles
FROM: N J Cox
Hong Kong Department
38
Lill R
DATE:
1 August 1991
CC:
Mr Burns o/r Mr Warren, FED
A
PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO PEKING: FCO OFFICIAL PARTICIPATION
1.
We discussed the proposal in PS's minute of 30 July that, in Mr Burns' absence on leave, Mr Paul should join the Prime Minister's party in Peking.
2.
-
This would give Mr Paul much face with the Chinese and in Hong Kong and would be a nice reward for his hard work in HKD. But I have reservations. These are partly sour grapes (I was more closely involved than he in the last stages of the airport negotiation; my leave plans have been scrapped to suit his convenience; any of our Heads of Section could hold the fort here perfectly well for the few days involved Ms Major has done so before - and Mr Ricketts, who has been preparing himself thoroughly, is due to take over on 2 September). But there are other points, given the attention which Chinese officials and the Hong Kong media give to such`matters:
(a) the absence from the delegation of any of the five members of our negotiating team for the 18-22 May round of talks in Peking will reduce their personal credibility and that of FCO and HKG officials generally, sustaining the arguments of the Chinese negotiators (who will again be much in evidence) that the deal struck with Sir P Cradock was a victory for their struggle tactics;
(b) (subject to FED's views) the absence from the delegation of any member of FED (or their Under-Secretary) will also be noticed by the Chinese;
(c) Mr Paul's transition from Head of HKD to deputy to Mr Galsworthy is an awkward one which has already inspired much speculation in the Hong Kong press. His date of departure from HKD and his subsequent leave in Hong Kong are no secret. It would not be helpful to the position of eg the Political Adviser to encourage the motion that he has special status eg a personal line to Ministers.
3.
A
My own preference would be for Mr Burns to be replaced by a member of FED and Mr Stone (HKD) or me, or by a member of FED and Mr Ehrman (Political Adviser, Hong Kong).
RAMAAW/Cc
CONFIDENTIAL