Mr. Wi
Wilford
Private
(37)
M. Cammara
Problem
Secretory
What reply should be returned to the attached telegram from the Foreign Correspondents Club in Hong Kong inviting the Secretary of State to address them at a luncheon or dinner engagement during his forthcoming visit to the Colony?
Recommendation
I recommend that a telegram should be sent to the Governor in the
terms of the attached draft.
2.
Background and Argument
The Foreign Correspondents Club in Hong Kong originated in Shanghai;
3.
it moved to the Colony some twenty years ago. It is a duly constituted body with its own premises and its activities are
mainly of a social nature. It has been in the habit of inviting distinguished persons to address its members on one or two occasions
each year.
4. The Club's membership contains a very substantial American element for the reason that there are considerably more American correspondents
in the Colony than there are of any other nationality. However, membership is by no means confined to the Press and people from various walks of life are members or associate members.
5.
The Secretary of State is due to arrive in Hong Kong during the afternoon of Friday, 17th April, and to leave for Japan during the afternoon of Sunday, 19th April. It is intended that his visit to the Colony should be primarily for rest purposes. The only available opportunities for him to address the Club would be at luncheon or dinner on Saturday, 18th April: this would mean interrupting his stay at
Fanling.
6. Mr. Stewart has already expressed his willingness to see the Press briefly at the Airport on his arrival in Hong Kong and he will again be seeing them before his departure. For these reasons it is considere d that the invitation from the Foreign Correspondents Club should be declined and that the Governor should be asked, in terms of the attached draft telegram, to inform the Club accordingly.
La
Kunhinged 24%
(. S. Carter) Hong Kong Department
23 February, 1970
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Private notes are available after approval.