TNAG-0544-FCO40-639-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 50

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a form of words reaffirming Britain's

commitment to HK. Beyond that the state-

ment should be a short formal indication

of where things stood saying that there

was as yet no final agreement on cost

sharing. He preferred to avoid the intro-

duction of any figures. But, in addition

he would also want to make a short personal statement to be cleared before hand with the

Governor.

2.

The Minister presented a revised version of the joint statement for further consideration. H.E. offered the exchange of letters as an alternative form to the Heads of Agreement. Each side agreed to examine these documents and confer again shortly.

3.

Commenting on the Minister of State's press proposals, H.E. said that it might be worth mentioning the total figure which had been brought down a very long way from the original figure of $700m. Other points on which the Minister might be questioned would be land, inflation and how far apart the two sides really were. On the latter it would obviously be necessary to remain as vague as possible. The Minister said that he preferred

a very bald official statement. The purpose of issuing a subsequent personal statement was to avoid misinterpretation and to provide the press with something for direct quotation..

4.

H.E. said that since the UK side had met the HK team on the question of confidentiality, he wished to raise as few difficulties as possible on the terms of the press release, but H.E. personally .preferred not to be present at the press conference.

5.

The two sides agreed to adjourn and examine their respective documents and reconvene shortly.

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