TNAG-0781-FCO40-985-Involvement-of-Hong-Kong-in-air-services-agreements-1978 — Page 50

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WHICH THEY CONSIDERED HAD LARGELY BEEN EFFECTED BY THEIR TERMINATION NOTICE TO SINGAPORE. NIXON RECOGNISSED THE NEED FOR THEM TO TELL US QUICKLY OF THE RESULTS OF THEIR TALKS WITH SINGAPORE, FOR ROGERS TO VISIT SINGAPORE THEREAFTER AND FOR BRITISH MINISTERS TO BE CONSULTED BUT PRESSED FOR AN ANNOUNCEMENT BY CHRISTMAS, TO WHICH HE REGARDS HIMSELF AS COMMITTED. HE ALSO OBVIOUSLY FEELS ENTITLED TO OUR SUPPORT, DESPITE THE QUALIFICATIONS WE MADE. ONE MAY DOUBT WHETHER MR NIXON CAN IN FACT LAUNCH THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS AS QUICKLY AS HE WISHES BUT HE IS SOMEWHAT BOXED IN AND IS DETERMINED TO PRESS AHEAD. I HOPE THAT WE CAN BRING FORWARD AND SHORTEN THE TIMETABLE OF OUR OWN CONSULTATIONS WITH ASEAN COUNTRIES. THIS WOULD BE FACILITATED IF THE AUSTRALIANS, AS THEY FULLY EXPECT, SHORTLY HAVE WRITTEN GOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENTS WITH THAILAND, MALAYSIA AND INDONESIA WHICH WE COULD POINT TO. I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR INSTRUCTIONS AND FOR AUTHORITY TO REASSURE MR NIXON THAT ONCE THE AUSTRALIAN TALKS WITH THE SINGAPOREANS ARE COMPLETED WE WLL MOVE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

TEBBIT

FILES

MAED

SWPD

SEAD

HK & GD

WED

SED

SAD

NAD

LEGAL ADVISERS

MR BUTLER

MISS BROWN MR MURRAY

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