011/6/2
CONFIDENTIAL
FROM:
PF Ricketts
DATE:
STF
CC:
Mr Hum
PS/Mr Goodlad
Private Secretary
Hong Kong Department
7 December 1993
Sir J Coles
Mr Fry, FED
Mr Larner, News Dept
138B
HONG KONG: ARTICLE BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Problem
1.
The Governor is keen to arrange for some event which will counter-balance what he expects to be adverse
publicity in the Hong Kong press on 9 December following the appearance by Sir P Cradock, Sir A Donald and Sir R Evans
before the FAC on 8 December.
Recommendation
2.
(a) That the Secretary of State should approve the attached draft article, to be published in the South China Morning Post and in a Chinese language newspaper on Thursday
9 December.
We would need the Secretary of State's clearance by the morning of 8 December to meet this deadline.
(b) That Ministers should also agree a contingency press line for use if Sir A Donald claims that he was authorised to go further in reaching understandings with the Chinese authorities in 1990 than the published exchanges
indicate.
CONFIDENTIAL