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(E) SUPPORT YOUR EXPLANATION OF THE REDUCTION OF H M G'S CONTRIBUTION TO 25% WITH A WARNING OF THE CURRENT OF POLITICAL THOUGHT IN THE UK, WHICH COULD TURN STRONGLY HOSTILE TO HONG KONG IF RIGHTLY OR WRONGLY PARLIAMENT OR THE PUBLIC GOT THE IMPRESSION THAT HONG KONG WAS DRIVING AN UNNECESSARILY HARD BARGAIN.
(F) STRESS THE EXCELLENT RELATIONSHIP THAT HAS ALWAYS EXISTED
BETWEEN THE GARRISON, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE POPULATION, AND EXPRESS HOPE THAT THIS NEGOTIATION WILL NOT IN ANY
IMPAIR IT
G) MENTION THAT THE REDUCTION IN THE GARRISON WILL MAKE LAND OCCUPIED BY M O D AVAILABLE FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, WHICH WILL PRESUMABLY BE WELCOME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY. (N.B. DO NOT IMPLY THEIR VALUE WILL OFFSET THE INCREASE IN HONG KONG'S CONTRIBUTION. THIS IS BECAUSE THE LAND REVERTS TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BY RIGHT WHEN NO LONGER REQUIRED. IN ANY CASE IT IS UNLIKELY TO BE SOLD BUT RATHER BE DEVELOPED FOR COMMUNITY USES).
(H) ABOVE ALL KEEP SOMETHING BACK TO GIVE WAY ON LATER. UNOFFICIALS
WILL FEEL THEY HAVE FAILED IN THEIR DUTY AND LOST FACE IF THEY ARE TOTALLY REBUFFED AND THEY WILL BE THE MORE DIFFICULT FOR ME TO MANAGE IN CONSEQUENCE.
3. PRESS ARRANGEMENTS.
(A) ON ARRIVAL DO YOU WISH TO MEET THE PRESS? THE NORMAL FORM FOR
A MINISTER ON ARRIVAL IS TO POSE FOR PHOTOGRAPHS ONLY AND 1 RECOMMEND THAT THIS IS WHAT YOU DO. HOWEVER IF YOU WISH WE CAN ARRANGE FOR A PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE AIRPORT PRESS-ROOM. (B) I HOPE THAT YOU WILL AUTHORISE US TO SAY THAT YOU WILL MEET
THE PRESS BEFORE YOU LEAVE. THIS COULD BE EITHER ON THE FRIDAY AFTERNOON OR SATURDAY. WE CAN MAKE THE ARRANGEMENTS INCLUDING TRANSLATION AS NECESSARY.
(C) THE QUESTION ARISES WHETHER YOU SHOULD BRING YOUR OWN PRESS
OFFICER. THE ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF DOING SO SEEM TO BE THAT IT MIGHT HELP ON YOUR RETURN TO THE UK, AND THAT IT WOULD GIVE REASSURANCE IN WHITEHALL THAT EVERYTHING POSSIBLE HAD BEEN DONE HERE TO PUT ACROSS H M G'S POSITION. I THEREFORE ASSUME YOU WILL WISH TO BRING A PRESS OFFICER. HE COULD COUNT ON ALL HELP AND ADVICE FROM OUR INFORMATION SERVICES.
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/(D) NO DOUBT
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