MCC 13/393/2
CONFIDENTIAL
2 May 1969.
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deThank you for sending us, under your minute of 29 April, copies of drafts of a submission and of a telegram on the Guidance to Hong Kong for Mr. Stans' visit.
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2. We agree generally with the lines of the submission, and that with one exception (mentioned below) it, and the telegram would be strengthened by the amendments suggested by Bob Goldsmith.
3.
As regards Goldsmith's proposed amendments to para. 5 of the submission and the consequential amendment of para. 4 of the draft telegram we propose the substitution of the words "be under heavy pressure from its industry" for the... words "probably feel constrained".
4. We are disposed to agree with the recommendation in paragraph 10 of the submission that there should be a UK representative in Hong Kong for the talks. It might be an advantage if he arrived a couple of days before the talks started, As Hong Kong is well aware, the discussions with Stans concern an issue of general commercial policy in which our own interests (and those of some of our European trading partners) are closely involved. We would not expect Hong Kong to take any exception to our wish to be represented throughout the talks on the basis proposed.
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5. I understand, however, that Snelling intended to discuss the question of UK representation at the talks with Hughes yesterday evening. As Snelling is away from the office today, I do not know what was said.
6. On matters of wording, the following points occur to me:
D.I. Dunnett, Esq.,
Board of Trade, CRE1,
1 Victoria Street, S.W.1.
/ (a)
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