CONFIDENTIAL
006470 MDHIAN 1291
CONFIDENTIAL
FM BTC HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE DTI
TELNO INTRA 178
OF 091035Z JULY 92
INFO PRIORITY FCO, PEKING, ATTC TAIPEI
FOR OT2/20.
YOUR INTRA 172: VISIT OF MINISTER FOR TRADE.
GRATEFUL FOR CONFIRMATION THAT THE DRAFT PROGRAMME SET OUT IN MIFT IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE MINISTER. WE HAVE ALREADY MADE THE APPOINTMENTS BUT IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO MAKE CHANGES.
YOU WILL NOTE THAT WE HAVE NOT SPECIFICALLY SET TIMES FOR MEETING THE PRESS. WE CAN SEE ADVANTAGE IN HOLDING A 30 MINUTE PRESS BRIEFING HERE AT THE BTC. THIS COULD BE SLOTTED IN ON THURSDAY 23 JULY IMMEDIATELY AFTER LUNCH AND BEFORE THE CALL ON CABLE AND WIRELESS, OR AT ABOUT 6 PM AFTER THE CALL ON GORDON WU. IF HOWEVER THE MINISTER WOULD PREFER TO HAVE THE PRESS BRIEFING AT THE END OF HIS PROGRAMME WE COULD TRY TO REARRANGE THINGS SO THAT HE MEETS THE PRESS ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON BEFORE HIS CALL ON THE GOVERNOR (OR INDEED IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIS RETURN FROM CASTLE PEAK EARLY ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON). IN ADDITION, AND IF IT FITS IN WITH THE MINISTER'S WISHES, WE COULD ARRANGE A LIVE RADIO INTERVIEW ON RTHK'S HONG KONG TODAY PROGRAMME ON EITHER THURSDAY OR FRIDAY MORNING (INTERVIEWS NORMALLY TAKE PLACE AT ABOUT 7.30 AM IN RTHK'S CENTRAL STUDIO) AND ALSO A BREAKFAST MEETING WITH SIMON HOLBERTON, FINANCIAL TIMES HONG KONG CORRESPONDENT. WE NEED NOT TAKE DECISIONS QUITE YET BUT IT WOULD BE USEFUL TO KNOW WHAT THE MINISTER WOULD PREFER TO DO. WE ALSO EXPECT TO RECEIVE BIDS FROM OTHER JOURNALISTS ONCE THE VISIT IS ANNOUNCED.
THE DINNER AT THE ALBANY ON WEDNESDAY 22 JULY COULD, IF THE MINISTER WISHES, BE ENLARGED TO INCLUDE A FEW BUSINESSMEN.
A SMALL GROUP OF VISITING BRITISH AIR CADETS (SIXTH FORMERS MOSTLY) WILL BE CALLING AT THE BTC FOR BRIEFING AT 10 AM ON THURSDAY 23 JULY. THEY WOULD BE THRILLED IF THEY COULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE MINISTER AND BE PHOTOGRAPHED WITH HIM SHORTLY BEFORE HE LEAVES FOR THE HELICOPTER TOUR. WE WILL MAKE APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS IF THE MINISTER HAS NO OBJECTION.
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