CONFIDENTIAL
010176
MDHOAN 4843
5.
There is no provision in this timing for any extended encounter with the press, and it is hard to see how this could BE fitted in. But there will of course be intense press interest, especially from Hong Kong. The best we can suggest is that the Secretary of State might have an extended door-step session at the end of the talks.
6.
In short, this would be a very squeezed programme. The Private Office are therefore investigating the alternative of chartering an aircraft from Tokyo in order to leave at first Light from there, which would mean arriving in Peking mid-morning. That might allow a lunch with Qian, preceded by a briefing with you.
There would also be time for a more satisfactory press briefing. In programme terms, this would obviously be more satisfactory if it can be arranged.
7.
I should be grateful for your early reaction to these options. Even if we have to settle for the first, our own feeling is that it is tight but just about manageable. There would be the opportunity for a substantive exchange of positions on the Hong Kong talks (which is what we want rather than negotiation) as well as brief discussion on other Hong Kong, bilateral and international issues. What do you think?
HURD
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
24
FED
HKD
PS
PS/MR GOODLAD
NNNN
DISTRIBUTION
24
PS/PUS
SIR J COLES MR HUM
PAGE
2
CONFIDENTIAL