TNAG-0943-FCO40-1162-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 133

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4. ON TIMING YOU ARE A BETTER JUDGE THAN 1 OF THE LIKELIHOOD OF A CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE DEVELOPING IN HONG KONG BEFORE 1982. EARLIER HOWEVER WE TOOK THE LINE THAT CUR TIME WAS LIMITED, AND I WOULD NOT BE OVER CONFIDENT THAT THE CLIMATE OF OPINION IN CHINA WILL BE MORE FAVOURABLE IN THE LATE BOS THAT IT IS NOW.

5.

THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US ABOUT THE STEPS TO BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY. I AM CONTENT THAT WE SHOULD DO NO MORE BEFORE LORD CARRINGTON'S VISIT THATN PUT THE CHINESE ON NOTICE THAT HE WILL WISH TO RAISE THE ISSUE OF HONG KONG, BUT WE CANNOT EXCLUDE THE MEA INDEFINITELY, THEY WILL HAVE A STRONG

VOICE IN FORMULATING SOLUTIONS AND IN CARRYING THEM OUT.

LORD CARRINGTON WILL DO ALMOST ALL HIS TALKING WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTER, I WOULD HOPE THAT HE WILL BE ABLE TO INDICATE

TO HUANG HUA THAT WE WANT TO FOLLOW UP GU MU'S SUGGESTION THAT BOTHE SIDES SHOULD REFLECT ABOUT THE FUTURE, WHILE BEING OPEN MINDED ABOUT THE CHANNEL USED FOR ANY DIALOGUE.

CRADOCK

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HD/HK & GD

HD/FED

[NOT ADVANCED]

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