TNAG-0964-FCO40-1183-Air-services-between-the-UK-and-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 221

Fili

21

Mr Murray

Mr Cortazzi

RESTRICARD

HKK 184

RECEIVED

separate copies 28 MAR

LONDON/HONG KONG AIR SERVICES

1.

INSUX

FA

no815.4 215.4

Mr Cortazzi thought it might be useful if we had a word on where we stand. Perhaps we could work on the following points:

a) A firm decision on the form and content of FCO

representations to the Secretary of State for Trade must await information about the basis of CPA's appeal and the Hong Kong Government's stand;

b) Nevertheless we need to be flexible. Taking the point in paragraph 4 of Mr Burton's minute of 24 March to Miss Brown, we might want to advise Ministers at any rate to put in a preliminary word to emphasise our concern;

c) Hong Kong telegram No 425promised a further telegram giving the Governor's views. If we do not get this by the end of this week we should ask the Governor to let us have his thoughts at that stage. This would enable us also:

i) to emphasise our desire to help;

ii) to stress the problems (legal, etc) and to

underline that success is by no means guaranteed;

iii) to suggest some alternative timings for action.

d) Any such telegram would need to be Personal to the Governor

because we must avoid any accusation, whether from the Department of Trade or elsewhere, that we are trying to inspire action by Hong Kong. We could lose tricks if we leave things too late.

e) Meanwhile, we with MAED are preparing a list of points

Which could appear in FCO representations to Mr Nott.

26 March 1980

Дир

R D Clift

Hong Kong and General Department

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