TNAG-0850-FCO40-1060-Future-of-Hong-Kong-New-Territories-leases-1979 — Page 146

Dean Mike,

CONFIDENTIAL

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of

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London, SW1A 2AH

RUKTEN 10 REGISTRY NO. 23 August 1979

2 9 AUG 1979

P.A.

AR 28/8

Forthcoming Announcements and Publications

182

181

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Thank you for sending me a copy of your letter of 17 August. We envisage announcements covering the following subjects:

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1.

Rhodesia

(a)

(b)

2.

Constitutional Conference

The Conference is likely to provoke the need for announcements but their nature and timing will depend on progress at the Conference itself;

Rhodesian/African training programme

In the light of the public expenditure review, the allocation of funds for this programme is in question. A story has already appeared in today's Guardian (copy enclosed). This issue is being looked at urgently in the light of the Rhodesia Conference. An announcement of some kind may well be necessary.

Sri Lanka

An announcement of the £100 m UK aid grant for the Sri Lanka Dam and Power Project is scheduled for 29 August.

3.

Katyn Memorial

It has been agreed that the band of the Royal Irish Hussars should attend the ceremony at the Katyn Memorial on 16 September. Now that the organisers know of this decision, questions are likely at any time. We shall make clear publicly that the presence of the band is a gesture of respect for our Polish allies who died at Katyn and that it implies no attribution of guilt.

4. Hong Kong

We are still awaiting the Chinese response to our proposals for extending Land Leases in the New Territories. Assuming there is no Chinese objection, the Governor of Hong Kong plans to announce the new arrangements in a speech at the opening of the new Legislative Council session in early October. There is likely to be press interest here.

CONFIDENTIAL

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