TNAG-0848-FCO40-1058-Future-of-Hong-Kong-New-Territories-leases-1979 — Page 117

Mr McLaren, HKGD

cLaren,

119/3

p.a

SECRET

HONG KONG: NEW TERRITORIES LEASES

HECKOUT/

INDEX

1 € MAR 1979

* S

PA

Action T-ker

No

1 89.3

1. Lord Goronwy-Roberts has seen Mr Wall's minute of 12 March and has commented as follows:-

"These are very strong points. However, we are now, and shall be, entirely at the mercy of PRC. Our real defence is Chinese self-interest in maintaining the status quo. That is what will give validity to the Leases, whether finite or indeterminate.

Lynton Jones

L Jones

PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts

14 March 1979

CC:

PS PS/PUS

Sir A Duff Mr Cortazzi

Mr Murray

Mr Stephen

FED

PUSD

Research Dept

Mr Rushford, Legal Advisers

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