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Karlsh to
00101
MDLIAN 8650
Alex Smith EC Mr Moris I will discuss with
Mr Smith & review options therefter.
23014 MAJ·
38
HKD 406
406/2
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RI
FM BTC HONG KONG
22 APR 1993
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 121
the
OF 230418Z APRIL 93
FOR BARNES JONES, HKD AND SMITH OED
NEW CONSULATE GENERAL: PRESENTATION TO MR GOODLAD AND THE GOVERNOR
1. WE HAVE SEEN THE INTERNAL FCO MINUTING ON THIS ISSUE AND NOTE THE DIFFICULTIES. BUT ARE THESE DIFFICULTIES REALLY INSURMOUNTABLE? AS YOU KNOW, WE REMAIN KEEN TO MAKE THE PRESENTATION TO THE MINISTER AND THE GOVERNOR ON MONDAY 31 MAY AND THEN TO GO ON THAT DAY TO A PUBLIC GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY AT THE SITE. SINCE WORK ON THE SITE IS LIKELY TO HAVE STARTED BY 31 MAY, WE CANNOT REALISTICALLY DELAY THE GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY FOR VERY MUCH BEYOND THAT DATE. MR GOODLAD'S VISIT IS THEREFORE TIMELY AND IT WOULD BE A PITY TO MISS THE OPPORTUNITY. BUT BEFORE WE ASK THE MINISTER TO UNDERTAKE A PUBLICITY EVENT OF THIS SORT, WE WOULD NEED TO HAVE A FIRM ASSURANCE THAT BOTH MINISTERIAL AND TREASURY APPROVAL HAD BEEN GIVEN AND WE WOULD NEED THAT ASSURANCE WELL BEFORE 31 MAY FOR ADVANCE PUBLICITY PURPOSES. WHILE WE COULD STILL STAGE THE GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY WITHOUT FIRST MAKING A PRESENTATION ON THE MINISTER AND GOVERNOR, WE WOULD PREFER TO DO BOTH ON 31 MAY.
COULD YOU PLEASE HAVE A FURTHER WORD WITH TERRY FARRELL TO SEE IF HE COULD POSSIBLY REARRANGE HIS DIARY TO BE HERE PERSONALLY FOR THE PRESENTATION. HE COULD BEST CONDUCT THE BRIEFING SINCE HE DESIGNED THE BUILDING. YOU MIGHT ALSO ASK FARRELL TO PRESS HIS MODEL MAKER TO GIVE THE HIGHEST PRIORITY TO FINISHING THE MODEL IN GOOD TIME FOR A 31 MAY PRESENTATION IN HONG KONG.
SMITH-LAITTAN
YYYY
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