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TO IMMEDIATE WASHINGTON
TELNO 399
OF 201353Z APRIL 93
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, HONG KONG, UKREP JLG HONG KONG INFO ROUTINE TOKYO, ASEAN POSTS, ATTC TAIPEI
US/CHINA
SUMMARY
1.
COLES BRIEFS LORD ON HONG KONG. STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF A MEETING BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND PRESIDENT CLINTON. URGES ADMINISTRATION TO CONSIDER CAREFULLY ANY CONDITIONS FOR MFN, SO AS NOT TO STORE UP A PROBLEM FOR NEXT YEAR. LORD SAYS MFN POLICY STILL EVOLVING: AGREES THAT DETAILS OF MFN CONDITIONS WILL BE CRUCIAL. WILL KEEP US CLOSELY INFORMED.
DETAIL
2.
SIR JOHN COLES (VISITING) DISCUSSED CHINA, (INCLUDING MFN, HONG KONG AND TAIWAN) WITH LORD (ASSISTANT SECRETARY, STATE) IN WASHINGTON ON 19 APRIL.
HONG KONG
3.
COLES BRIEFED LORD ON OUR AGREEMENT TO BEGIN TALKS WITH CHINA THIS WEEK. HE SAID HE EXPECTED THE TALKS TO BE LENGTHY AND DIFFICULT. IF THEY DID NOT END IN AGREEMENT WE WOULD FACE A DIFFICULT DECISION LATER THIS YEAR ON WHETHER TO BREAK THEM OFF AND PRESS AHEAD WITH THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS IN LEGCO. WE MIGHT THEN NEED TO THINK ABOUT ASKING THE US (AND OTHERS) TO BECOME MORE CLOSELY INVOLVED. MEANWHILE, WE WERE GRATEFUL FOR THE WELL-JUDGED WORDS THE ADMINISTRATION HAD USED IN PUBLIC TO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNOR'S CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS. WAS DESIRABLE THAT THE US SHOULD MAKE THE POINT PRIVATELY TO THE CHINESE THAT HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC PROSPERITY IN WHICH THE US HAD A DIRECT INTEREST - DEPENDED ON MAINTAINING HONG KONG'S CURRENT WAY OF LIFE.
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COLES SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THE GOVERNOR TO BE RECEIVED BY THE PRESIDENT. A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY WOULD SEND A GOOD SIGNAL TO THE CHINESE. IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL TO THE GOVERNOR IF HE COULD CONFIRM IN PUBLIC FAIRLY SOON THAT HE WOULD MEET THE PRESIDENT DURING HIS VISIT. WHILE NOT WISHING TO PRE-EMPT WHAT
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