TNAG-0278-FCO40-314-Visit-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Aff-1970 — Page 179

CYPHER/CAT A

RESTRICTED

ROUTINE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

TELNO 139

TO HONG KONG

24 FEBRUARY 1970

(HKK 22/4)

38

RESTRICTED AND PERSONAL

FOLLOWING FROM PRIVATE SECRETARY.

SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT.

THE FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS CLUB IN HONG KONG HAVE ADDRESSED A TELEGRAM (SIGNED BY BRUCE NELAN) TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE ASKING HIM TO ADDRESS THEM AT A LUNCHEON OR DINNER DURING HIS VISIT TO THE

COLONY.

2. I ASSUME THAT YOU WOULD SEE NO OBJECTION TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE TURNING THIS DOWN. IF SO, COULD YOU ARRANGE FOR THE CLUB TO BE TOLD THAT MR. STEWART GREATLY APPRECIATES THEIR INVITATION BUT REGRETS THAT THE SHORTNESS OF HIS STAY IN THE COLONY PREVENTS HIM

FROM ACCEPTING IT.

3. SINCE THIS WILL BE THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S FIRST VISIT TO HONG KONG, HOWEVER, HE WOULD OF COURSE LIKE TO HAVE ADEQUATE TIME TO MEET THE PRESS CORRESPONDENTS AND ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS. WE AGREED THAT THIS SHOULD BE DONE ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON BEFORE DEPARTURE. IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO KNOW WHAT ARRANGEMENTS YOU PROPOSE, WITH SOME INDICATION OF THE NUMBER OF CORRESPONDENTS WHO WILL WISH TO MEET THE SECRETARY OF STATE. SHOULD HE ALSO DO A TELEVISION INTERVIEW?

STEWART

FILE S

HONG KONG D.

FAR EASTERN D.

PRIVATE SECRETARY

NEWS D.

MR. WILFORD

kei.

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ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION U.N.D. (4 COPIES)

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