GRS 282
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 130630Z, NOV 78
TO PRIORITY F C O
CONFIDENTIAL
TELEGRAM NUMBER 1335 OF 13 NOVEMBER
PERSONAL FOR CORTAZZI FROM GOVERNOR.
69) YOUR TELNO 848: KOWLOON/CANTON RAILWAY.
HKK 173/2 TOP SORY
INDEX
TY
PA
1. I HAD HOPED THAT THE OBVIOUSLY EXCEPTIONAL IMPORTANCE OF
THIS CONTRACT, THE FACT THAT IT WAS FOR CASE NOT CREDIT, THE APPOINTMENT OF TRANSMARK AS CONSULTANTS, THE BRITISH-ORIENTATION
OF THE TENDER SPECIFICATIONS, AND METRO-CAMMELL'S FAMILIARITY WITH HONG KONG WOULD HAVE COMBINED TO ENSURE A CAREFULLY CONCERTED AND
HIGHLY COMPETITIVE TENDER. IN THE EVENT I SUSPECT ALL. CONCERNED ASSUMED THAT IT WAS IN THE BAG, AND FAILED TO FOCUS, WITH DISASTRO
CONSEQUENCES FROM WHICH WE ARE NOW ATTEMPTING TO RESCUE THEM IN HIDEOUSLY EMBARRASSING CIRCUMSTANCES. I ONLY HOPE THAT THEY
DO BETTER ON THE TSUEN WAN EXTENSION OF THE MTR. THE TENDER SEQUENCE FOR THE LATTER HAS ALREADY BEGUN: MET-CAMM'S INITIAL BID WAS WELL BEHIND THE LEADERS, BUT A FINAL DECISION WILL NOT BE TAKEN UNTIL FEBRUARY SO THERE IS TIME TO CATCH UP.
2. IF MY PERSONAL INTERVENTION IN THESE TENDER PROCUEDURES LEAKED IT WOULD BE HIGHLY DAMAGING, SO I MUST ASK YOU TO RESPECT MY CONFIDENCE. GENERALLY SPEAKING I THINK IT IS BEST TO AVOID TRIANGLE CORRESPONDENCE AND STICK TO THE SETC/DOT/DOI LINE OF COMMUNICATION YOU CAN ASSUME CLOSE CONTACT BETWEEN SBTC AND MYSELF, IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT I THINK THE FOC, OR S OF S, CAN DO, I WILL OF COURSE TELEGRAPH.
3. WITH REGARD TO KCR, PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH WITH ROYCE AND IN
CAREY'S ABSENCE DUGUID (PS TO VARLEY). LIPPETT OF DOI IS HERE AND
TOGETHER WITH SBTC HAS EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY DONE AND HAVE OFFERED TO DO TO HELP.
MACLEHOSE
FILES:
HEAD H K & G D
HEAD FED
MR CORTAZZI MR MURRAY
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