CONFIDENTIAL
T.C?
HKA 233/1
ни
037112 MDHOAN 8677
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 104
OF 27160OZ JANUARY 92
INFO IMMEDIATE UKREP JLG HONG KONG, PEKING
18
OUR TELNO 24 TO BTC HONG KONG: HMOCS ASSOCIATION MEETING
WE APPRECIATE THAT THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE WILL COME UNDER STRONG PRESSURE TO MAKE SOME POSITIVE STATEMENT AT THE HMOCS ASSOCIATION MEETING DUE TO TAKE PLACE TOMORROW. THIS STAGE, HOWEVER, THERE IS VERY LITTLE NEW HE COULD SAFELY SAY.
2.
IN ORDER TO DRESS THIS UP IN A WAY WHICH MIGHT PERSUADE HMOCS MEMBERS TO HOLD THEIR FIRE, WE SUGGEST THAT, IN ADDITION TO DRAWING ON THE MATERIAL IN LORD CAITHNESS' LETTER OF 25 JULY 1991, HE COULD SAY:
CONSIDERATION ENTERED A NEW PHASE WITH THE VISIT OF A WHITEHALL TEAM TO HONG KONG IN DECEMBER.
HMG APPRECIATE THAT HMOCS MEMBERS WANT TO KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WHAT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE PUT IN PLACE.
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HK8233/1 (137
MINISTERS ARE TAKING A CLOSE INTEREST IN OFFICIALS' WORK BUT NO DECISIONS HAVE YET BEEN REACHED.
2. SCS WILL NO DOUBT WISH TO CONSIDER WHAT TO SAY ABOUT YOUR OWN TALKS WITH MINISTERS IN LONDON LAST WEEK. BUT CLEARLY HE SHOULD NOT GIVE ANY UNDERTAKING ABOUT THE TIMING OR SUBSTANCE OF ANY MINISTERIAL DECISION.
HURD
1991.
YYYY
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