TNAG-0533-FCO40-628-Personal-correspondence-between-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Govern-1975 — Page 7

Covering TOP SECRET

Mr O'Keeffe Mr Maxe

Muniti

Whath

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With 3 んん

I should be grateful for any comments you may have on the attached draft reply to Sir Murray MacLehose's three letters which you have seen. I should like to get this away by the bag leaving 3 pm on Friday afternoon.

2. Do you agree that 'Secret' grading is adequate for the contents of para 4 of this draft? The outline policy paper (in file attached) is itself 'Top Secret'.

3. As regards the last sentence of para 5, I should like to refresh my memory of the interim reply to the EC. Would it increase the Governor's anxieties if it were copied to him?

27 August 1975

Walio

Duncan Watson

1.

I attach a copy of the interim reply to the NEC which, in my view, would increase the Governor's anxieties at this time. The Secretary of State's instructions were, however, to draft in as positive a style as possible. Nothing of real substance to Hong Kong has been given away but the tone is undoubtedly wrong for consumption in Hong Kong, even by the Governor.

2. I think the existence of the policy paper is itself Top Secret and perhaps the reply to the Governor should be similarly up-graded.

иль

PL O'Keeffe

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.

28 August 1975

I theak the draft is fine

I have added

a pana

Ike Top secret angle

Covering TOF SECRET

Premake

28/2

Sur D. Watsun

a