TNAG-0284-FCO40-320-Appointment-of-Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1970 — Page 19

ADVANCE COMES ALSO SENT TO

FLASH

(22)

23

Ms. Wright.

X Hd. H.K.D.

&

دیکر رانا

Hdt. Pop D Itd. news?

ADVANCE COPY

HOFO 002/14

FLASH

CYPHER CAT -A

FLASH GOVERNOR HONG KONG

TELEGRAM NO 708

CONFIDENTIAL 140315Z

TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH

OFFICE LONDON

DATED 14 OCTOBER 1970

REFERENCE GREENHILL'S PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL LETTER TO ME

OF 6 OCTOBER 1979.

THE NEWS OF MACLEHOSE'S APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN SPREAD ALL OVER

THE LOCAL PAPERS FOR THE LAST TWO DAYS TO AN EXTENT WHICH REDUCES

ANY FURTHER ATTEMPTS TO MAINTAIN SILENCE UNTIL SATURDAY HIGHLY

EMBARRASSING.

2. THE STORY BROKE HERE IN AN AP DESPATCH FROM LONDON, AND LOCAL

PAPERS ARE CLAIMING THAT IT DERIVED FROM "'DIPLOMATIC"

SOURCES THERE. MR ROYLE, ON DEPARTURE, SAID THAT A DECISION

ON THE MATTER HAD BEEN TAKEN, THAT HER MAJESTY HAD

GIVEN HER CONSENT, AND AN ANNOUNCEMENT WOULD BE MADE SHORTLY.

3. FROM MY POINT OF VIEW THERE IS NOW NO REASON TO HOLD OFF

UNTIL SATURDAY (AND I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT I WAS PREVIOUSLY UNDER

A DEGREE OF MISAPPREHENSION AS TO TIMING REQUIREMENTS IN

COPENHAGEN) 1 THEREFORE RECOMMEND THAT HE ADVANCE THE DATE OF

鮫

THE A-NOUNCEMENT BY 2 DAYS L.E. ANNOUNCE AT ABOUT 8 PM.

THURSDAY 15 OCTOBER ( 12 NOON YOUR TIME).

LOCAL

ita MONSON CONCURS. PLEASE KEEP MICHAEL WRIGHT INFORMED, AND

REPEAT TO PHNOM PENH AND TO COPENHAGEN IF DESIRED.

5. GRATEFUL FOR FLASH REPLY.

MINED