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INDEX
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FM WASHINGTON
TO TELELETTER FCO
TELELETTER NFR
OF 252135Z MARCH 93
AND TO TELELETTER HONG KONG
FROM: P J TORRY, WASHINGTON
TO: C HUM ESQ., AUSS, FCO
CC: W EHRMAN ESQ., HONG KONG
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MDTTAN 9286
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Amahall
Ries (th)
1 Daves (27
A Hewitt Scud
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FAR EASTERN ISSUES
1 I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO WINSTON LORD AT THE AMBASSADOR'S DINNER LAST NIGHT FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE. A FEW POINTS ARE WORTH RECORDING:
HONG KONG
2. LORD WAS EXTREMELY SUPPORTIVE OF THE GOVERNOR. HE FELT THAT TOO MUCH OF THE DEBATE HAD FOCUSSED ON THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS AS
THE ROOT OF RECENT PROBLEMS: THE REAL ROOT WAS CHINESE INTRANSIGENCE, DATING BACK TO THEIR DECISION TO SHOOT THEIR OWN PEOPLE IN TIANANMEN SQUARE. BUT HE WAS GLOOMY ABOUT IMMEDIATE PROSPECTS FOR PROGRESS BETWEEN US AND THE CHINESE. HE SAID THAT DENG DETERMINED POLICY ON HONG KONG. HE TENDED TO REACT EMOTIONALLY ON HONG KONG ISSUES. OTHERS TOOK THEIR CUE FROM HIM. IN THE CURRENT MANOEUVRING WITH AN EYE TO THE SUCCESSION IN BEIJING, NO-ONE WAS GOING TO ADVOCATE A SOFTER APPROACH TO HONG KONG. THE PERSONAL RISK WAS SIMPLY TO0 GREAT.
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3. ON MFN, I MADE THE STANDARD PITCH. LORD WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE HONG KONG ANGLE. HE REPEATED - AS WE HAVE REPORTED AT LENGTH -
THAT UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL WAS SIMPLY NOT ON. BUT HE VOLUNTEERED THAT THE TRICK WOULD BE TO MAKE THE CONDITIONS AS FLEXIBLE AS POSSIBLE, AND IN PARTICULAR TO LEAVE FULL LATITUDE TO THE PRESIDENT IN DETERMINING AT THE END OF THE PERIOD WHETHER THE CHINESE HAD MET THEIR OBLIGATIONS. THUS, ON HUMAN RIGHTS WE SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR QUOTE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS UNQUOTE. BUT THE PRESIDENT WOULD NOT SPELL OUT BEFOREHAND WHAT HE MEANT BY THAT, AND COULD CHOOSE TO SET
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