SECRET
FM HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 28100OZ FCO
TELNO 1682
OF 280919Z OCTOBER 93
AND TO IMMEDIATE PEKING
SECRET
pa. Fate (011/8).
011013
MOHIAN 0906.
Personal for Morris (HKD) from Governor
Moryis
の
HKB 011/8
100
Your telno 931 and Peking telno 1424: FAC Report: Request for Evidence from an FCO Legal Adviser
1.
I agree that we cannot refuse the FAC's request and that it will be important for us to have as much support as possible for our position in the FAC's report. As seen from here we have been successful so far in convincing FAC members of the strength of our case. We need to continue to ensure that there is no prospect of any legal weaknesses being identified.
2. I agree with Peking TUR that it would be very helpful if a senior and authoritative FCO legal adviser could attend the FAC meeting, to accompany a policy official such as Christopher Hum or Peter Ricketts. We would also like to send David Edwards (Law Officer (International Law) and of course formerly an FCO Legal Adviser) to London next week to attend the meeting. Edwards is well qualified to help steer through the various shoals to which you refer. He is fully conversant with the legal issues involved and may be of help in explaining their complexities. Grateful if you would confirm that it would be in order for Edwards to attend.
3.
We agree with Peking TUR on where the trickiest areas of questioning will lie and on the need for very careful briefing. will telegraph further on this.
PATTEN
We
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