TNAG-0331-FCO40-367-Visits-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Af-1972 — Page 92

RESTRICTED

33

PRIORITY

CYPHER/CAT A

FM HONG KONG 210130Z

RESTRICTED

TO PRIORITY FCO TELNO 64 OF 21 JANUARY.

YOUR TELNO 65.

FOR LEAHY FROM WATT.

LAST

z

REF.

NEXT

REF.

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No. 51

25 JAN 1972

NKK 22

26)

(34)

IT MIGHT BE PREFERABLE IF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S BRIEF CONFERENCE ON ARRIVAL IS KEPT AS INFORMAL AS POSSIBLE. 1 THEREFORE SUGGEST THAT THE STATEMENT AT THE AIRPORT SHOULD APPEAR TO BE SPONTANEOUS RATHER THAN READ FROM A PREPARED STATEMENT. I WILL RECORD THIS STATEMENT AND ENSURE THAT IT IS DISTRIBUTED TO THE PRESS IN ORDER TO OBVIATE ANY POSSIBLE ERRORS WHICH MIGHT BE CREATED BY VERBATIM REPORTING. IF THE INITIAL STATEMENT COULD LAST FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES THIS SHOULD SATISFY LOCAL TELEVISION AND RADIO AND MAKE IT EASIER FOR US TO HOLD QUESTIONS UNTIL THE LATER

CONFERENCE.

I CAN ARRANGE UNATTRIBUTABLE BRIEFINGS FOR YOU AT VERY SHORT NOTICE AND SUGGEST WE DISCUSS THIS ON ARRIVAL.

FCO PASS COPY TO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON

MACLEHOSE

FILES

NEWS DEPT:

HONG KONG DEPT:

P.S.

RESTRICTED

COPIES TO:-

HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE, 54 PALL MALL, 3/1.