TNAG-1000-FCO40-1231-Appointment-of-the-Governor-of-Hong-Kong-Sir-Edward-Youde-1981 — Page 46

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GRS 260 DEDIP

CONFIDENTIAL

STAFF IN CONFIDENCE

DESKBY 1509082

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG 150820Z DEC 81

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELEGRAM NUMBER 1128 OF 15 DECEMBER

PERSONAL FOR PUS FROM GOVERNOR.

1. I HAVE REPORTED THE SATISFACTORY REACTION OF SIR S Y CHUNG AND

COLLEAGUES, SO THE WAY IS NOW CLEAR.

2. PENDING THE QUEEN'S CONSENT VARIOUS POINTS NEED TO BE SETTLED BEFORE AN ANNOUCEMENT IS MADE:

(A) TIMING OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT. I ASSUME THIS WILL BE DONE SIMULTANEOUSLY IN LONDON AND HONG KONG. IT WILL BE OF MORE INTEREST HERE THAN IN THE UK. GRATEFUL THEREFORE IF THE TIME COULD BE ABOUT 1820 HONG KONG TIME ( E 10002 LONDON), AND NOT ON A SATURDAY OR SUNDAY.

(B) PRESS CONFERENCE FOR YOUDE. THERE WILL BE IMMEDIATE DEMANDS FOR

PRESS AND TELEVISION INTERVIEWS FROM HONG KONG MEDIA. I SUGGEST YOUDE ARRANGES WITH FORD (HONG KONG COMMISSIONER) WHEN AND HOW THIS MIGHT BE HANDLED. IT WOULD BE EASIER FOR HIM IF WHEN ANNOUNCING

THE APPOINTMENT WE COULD ALSO INDICATE ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEDIA TO

MEET HIM.

(C) DATES OF MY DEPARTURE AND HIS ARRIVAL. IT IS NOT ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY BUT WOULD BE TIDY TO BE ABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS WHEN THE APPOINTMENT IS ANNOUNCED. I SHOULD SEE OUT THE

BUDGET DEBATE WHICH ENDS ON THURSDAY 15 APRIL. THERE IS ALSO A PRESENTATION OF INSIGNIA (NEW YEARS HONOURS) DOWN FOR 26 APRIL WHICH

IT WOULD BE PREFERABLE FOR ME TO CONDUCT. BUT THE DATE COULD BE BROUGHT FORWARD BY A WEEK IF THIS WAS A CONSIDERATION. I RECOMMEND

THE GAP SHOULD NOT BE MORE THAN A WEEK OR 10 DAYS (THERE IS NO PAINTING ETC THAT NEEDS DOING AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE). I SUGGEST THAT IN ANSWER TO QUESTIONS WE SAY I SHALL BE LEAVING TOWARDS THE END OF APRIL AND THAT THERE BE A SHORT GAP BEFORE YOUDE ARRIVES. (D) BRIEFING FOR YOUDE. THE MEDIA WILL ASK HOW HE WILL BE PREPARING HIMSELF AND WHEN HE WILL BE GIVING UP HIS JOB IN THE FOREIGN OFFICE. MAY I NOW TELEGRAPH TO HIM DIRECT?

MACLEHOSE

LIMITED HD HRQUD HD||POD

HD NEWS D

IPS PSTAPS PS PUS SIR.E. YOUDE

SIR. A. ACLAND

MR RUSSEN

MR DONALD

HKA 431/393/16

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Also at HKPF / Yandel &C

CONFIDENTIAL

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