TNAG-0851-FCO40-1061-Future-of-Hong-Kong-New-Territories-leases-1979 — Page 141

D

Mr Murra

Murray

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

Problem

1.

Некоторы

PED IN REGISTA” NO.

26 OCT 1979

WESK OFFICER

Mis fiatic

ROHR 26/10/239 Iwilwanson

News Dept. in formel that line appoved as ammended. Telegram sent to Hong Kong, copied to Pebring

82.

Tomorrow's issue of the Far Eastern Economic Review will

include an open letter from the Editor urging the Prime Minister

to raise the future of Hong Kong with Premier Hua Guofeng.

Reuter's have today carried an item on this, including extracts

from Mr Davies' letter. News Department have asked for guidance

on the line to take (which they would pass on to No 10 Downing

Street).

Recommendation

2.

I recommend the line set out in the attached piece of paper.

If this is agreed I will arrange for it to be telegraphed to

Hong Kong. FED agree.

Background

3. We are, of course, recommending that the Prime Minister and

the Secretary of State should raise the New Territories Leases

issue with Premier Hua Guofeng. Any exchanges on this subject

must be kept secret. It is not the intention to raise longer

term issues which are, as Mr Blaker said recently in Hong Kong,

a matter for the future. There is no reason why we should not

say so, and refuse to be drawn further.

4. There has been no time to clear the proposed line with Hong

Kong but it draws on material agreed with the Governor and

Mr Cradock at the time when we were preparing for a possible

/leak

SECRET