TNAG-0847-FCO40-1057-Visits-of-Sir-Murray-MacLehose--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-th-1979 — Page 79

CONFIDENTIAL

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F. 5.

18 JUN 1979,

REGISTRY

Acrion Tub

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87.

Mr Cortazzi

B/Vi

MEETING WITH SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, 3pm 13 JUNE

1. I suggest that our main aim at this afternoon's meeting should be to have a preliminary run over the ground likely to be covered during the Governor's calls on the Secretary of State and other Ministers, and that we should concentrate on:-

2.

a)

b)

c)

Vietnamese refugees;

Reinforcement;

Other aspects of the immigration problem.

You will have already received copies of the briefing material prepared for the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State. You will also have seen a copy of the Defence Secretary's minute to the Secretary of State of 12 June about reinforcement. I attach a copy of the Private Secretary's letter to No 10 Downing Street covering the briefing for the Prime Minister. You will see that he decided to omit any reference to the possibility of our taking more refugees from Hong Kong.

3. On reinforcement, you will be aware that the Defence Secretary's minute arrived before the Secretary of State had approved the draft of the letter to Mr Pym which was submitted at the end of last week. The letter has therefore not issued. The Private Secretary is telling Mr Pym's Private Secretary that Lord Carrington will want to discuss the situation with the Governor before taking a view on the need for reinforcement of the garrison in Hong Kong, and the priority which should be accorded to it.

4. I have minuted separately about New Territories Leases. At our meeting this afternoon we might discuss how this issue should be handled during the Governor's calls on Ministers. But I envisage that substantive discussion would be deferred until our second meeting on the afternoon of 15 June.

5. The Air Services talks in Peking are at a crucial stage. We should be receiving a telegram today summarising the alternative

packages available with recommendations as to which should be accepted. I understand that the DOT are likely to settle for a deal which Hong Kong will regard as less than satisfactory. have told Mr Morland that the Governor is here and could be consulted if necessary.

13 June 1979

Revanghu

R JT McLaren

I

Hong Kong & General Department

cc

Mr Murray

Mr Rushford, Legal Advisers

Mr Samuel, FED

Mr Watkins, Defence Dept

Mr Morland, MAED

CONFIDENTIAL