CONFIDENTIAL
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But our joint understanding is that establishing links with Peking, while technically difficult, would by no means be impossible, if it were given sufficient priority. But if we are to get any early movement on this, a high level political directive will almost certainly be needed.
The Governor's meetings this week with the Secretary of State and Malcolm Rifkind provide the opportunity for this. (Mr Rifkind's involvement is relevant since the most straightforward approach to this problem, if it is technically possible, would be to extend the MOD's Patron network to Peking.)
If you
agree, I should therefore be grateful if you would pass this letter to the Governor's party so that the Governor might raise the issue with the Secretary of State and Mr Rifkind in the following terms:
[Secretary of State]
We now have a secure telephone link (Patron) between Government House and all the key players in London: No 10, yourself, Alastair Goodlad, Peter Ricketts etc. Many thanks to all concerned for organising this.
Major gap in the system: no secure link with Peking either from London or Hong Kong.
This represents serious security risk (NB Zhu Rongji call)
Moreover, would be of immense value to be able to talk freely on telephone with Ambassador and his staff over strategy, policy presentation etc over the next few difficult years. Link needed urgently.
Understand that this is technically complex to arrange, though possible. Needs political directive from us to give it priority it required.
Best way forward would be to extend Patron network to Peking. This is MOD system and I will mention this to Mr Rifkind.
If this is not technically feasible and another system needed, do I have your agreement that the agencies concerned should be directed to give it highest priority in terms of their time and resources?
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