TNAG-0606-FCO40-754-Monitoring-progress-made-on-planning-papers-on-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 239

Mr Male

CONFIDENTIAL

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HONG KONG: PRESS COMMENT ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

1. Following my submission of 23 December, Lord Goronwy-Roberts We agreed with Mr Cortazzi's advice that we should write to the

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Governor about the distortion in recent Hong Kong press

comments and the best way/dealing with this problem, and perhaps also ask the Governor for his views on how the press stories about British "interference" may have been started. Mr Cortazzi asked the department to prepare a draft that took account of Lord Goronwy-Roberts' comments.

2. Since action along these lines was agreed, I have received the Governor's letter of 29 December to Mr Stewart reporting on the current strained atmosphere in Hong Kong and enclosing the transcript of a press conference that he gave just before Christmas. The Governor's letter provides a useful peg on

which to write to Sir Murray MacLehose.

3. I submit a draft letter for Mr Cortazzi's signature.

12 January 1977

cc:

OLA

Mr Lipsey

Matass

D.F. Multor

D F Milton

Hong Kong Department

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