TNAG-0461-FCO40-526-Exchange-of-newsletters-between-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Off-1974 — Page 22

being Assistant Director during the period under review, is content to leave to the BTC the task of presenting Britain's case, which would otherwise go by default, because he is almost entirely preoccupied with the two main tasks with which he is charged of promoting the HKG's policies within the Colony and Hong Kong's image abroad.

3.

It is perhaps worth repeating that in the case of a few "sensitive issues" which are of direct concern to both HIIG and HKG it is clearly understood that the latter acts as spokesman, representing Britain's viewpoint as favourably as practicable. (The weakness to this is that Hong Kong officials naturally tend to protect their own credibility, in order not to appier as Britain's lackeys, and at times the British view is not satisfactorily represented.) Currently

the "sensitive issues" are as follows:-

Sterling reserves;

exclusion of Hong Kong's textiles and footwear from the EEC's GSP;

landing rights at Kai Tak;

capital punishment;

Ir Peter Godber;

Hong Kong's defence contribution.

While these subjects have never yet appeared in the material sent for forwarding direct to the media, e.g. General News Bulletins, Far East Bulletins, TV items etc. it would be appreciated if appropriate sections within COI would take note of them and exercise particular care in inserting references to them in such material.

4. While we are not allowed to comment on the "sensitive

issues" it would be helpful if we could be briefed for our own background information, particularly on Sterling and the GSP issues where we may have to give sensible factual

/answers

I

2