TNAG-0827-FCO40-1035-Dependent-Territories-Senior-Appointments-Board--1979-1979 — Page 23

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

AFIDENTIAL

Original at KPF/PARKER/TRUD

This Copy for:

STAFF IN CONFIDENCE Information only/Aetion-on

DIP

Parts)

A PORT STANLEY 251422Z JUL 79

TO PRIORITY FCO

TELEGRAM NUMBER 132 OF 26 JULY

FROM PS/MR RIDLEY, FOR MCLAREN

HKA 431/2

RECEIVED IN RECISTRY NO. ST

-

2 AUG 1979

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

LAST

REF

(57 58

1. MR RIDLEY HAS NOW BEEN ABLE TO REFLECT ON THE ADVANTAGES OF ACCEPTING PARKER'S OFFER TO SERVE A FURTHER YEAR AS GOVERNOR.

ON

2. HE HAS BEEN EXTREMELY IMPRESSED WITH HIS STANDING IN THE ISLANDS, AND PARTICULARLY AMONG COUNCILLORS. SINCE THE MINISTER WILL PROPOSE ON HIS RETURN TO LONDON THAT HMG SHOULD EMBARK SUBSTANTIVE NEGOTIATIONS WITH ARGENTINA ON THE BASIC SOVEREIGNTY ISSUE, THERE WILL FOLLOW A PERIOD WHEN THE ISLANDERS' SENSE OF DANGER AND INSECURITY WILL BE ENHANCED. MR RIDLEY BELIEVES STRONGLY THAT TO APPOINT A NEW GOVERNOR NOW WOULD FURTHER INCREASE ISLANDERS WORRIES: A NEW MAN WOULD HAVE TO START FROM SCRATCH TO GAIN THEIR CONFIDENCE, WHICH PARKER NOW SO CLEARLY HAS.

3.

MR RIDLEY CONSIDERS THAT THESE FACTORS OUTWEIGH THE ARGUMENTS AGAINST EXTENDING PARKER'S TOUR.

4. IF THIS RECOMMENDATION IS ACCEPTED, MR RIDLEY SEES ADVANTAGE IN THE GOVERNOR TAKING SOME HOME LEAVE OR BEING BROUGHT HOME FOR CONSULTATIONS AT AN EARLY STAGE, BEFORE NEGOTIATIONS GET UNDER

WAY.

PARKER

56

NO DISTRIBUTION

HD/HK & GD

PS/MR RIDLEY PS/FUS

HD/POD

HD/S AM D

PS

MR HALL

PS/MR HURD

CHIEF CLERK

?.

CONFIDENTIAL

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