CODE 18-77

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Reference...

From: Sara Everett

News Department

Date: 13 May 1992

cc: PS/Mr Goodlad

PS/Mr Patten Sir John Coles

Mr Burns

Mr Cornish

201

Mr Ricketts, HKD

1. We discussed this morning the Governor's request to be kept informed of the press plans for the Minister and Mr Patten. I attach forward press plans, as far as we know them at present.

2. Nearer the time of Mr Patten's departure we will need to focus carefully on media coverage. We agreed that it would be wise, at this point, for Mr Patten to do no further interviews until that time. We are, nevertheless, receiving a number of requests for interviews, of which I am keeping a record. These have been generated largely by Mr Patten's interview with "Frost on Sunday" and he and his family's interviews with the South China Morning Post and the Oriental Daily News.

3.

I am taking the line that Mr Patten is giving no further interviews until much nearer the time of his departure. I am stressing that he is taking advice on all issues from a wide range of sources, eg visitors from LEGCO, etc, and naturally prefers not to go into detail on these issues until he has been able to discuss them with all those concerned. I think that this line should hold until well into June. We may come under further pressure then.

Save th

Sara Everett

News Department

HKQ adi

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