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270
Reference.
Mr Ricketts HKD
Coverty CONFIDENTORE
GOVERNOR'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS 1987
1.
I sent Mr Cox on 11 June a copy of the Governor's inaugural address, obtained by Mr Martin from Hong Kong. I have now had a look through the files, and can give you a little more of the background. The first papers on the subject that I could find were Hong Kong telnos 589 and 590 to FCO of 17 February (folios 120 and 121 of HKA 400/1 of 1987). These contained a draft speech for the Governor to make after his swearing in. Its basic shape and contents were very the same as those of the final version delivered on 9 April. This formed part of a series of telegrams on arrangements for the Governor's arrival and there is no indication on the file that the speech was prepared other than at Hong Kong's initiative. A revised version of the speech was telegraphed to Hong Kong for comment on 12 March (FCO telnos 752 and 753 to Hong Kong of 12 March, folios 174 and 175). Hong Kong had only very minor amendments to suggest (Hong Kong telno 1018 of 13 March, folio 176). Sir D Wilson promised in a subsequent telegram (FCO telno 803 to Hong Kong of 17 March, folio 193) that he intended to send a final version on 31 March. A draft of the speech was seen by the Minister responsible for Hong Kong, Mr Renton, on 19 March
(folio 232), and he seems to have given his approval. Unfortunately, the paper trail peters out at this point.
2.
These papers indicate that the initial draft of the speech was prepared by the Hong Kong government, on its own initiative, as part of the preparations for the new Governor's arrival. I attach copies of the documents to which I have referred.
RF Wye
Far Eastern Section Research & Analysis Dept OAB 2/125 210 6219/6216 15 June 1992
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