TNAG-1000-FCO40-1231-Appointment-of-the-Governor-of-Hong-Kong-Sir-Edward-Youde-1981 — Page 53

GRS 450

DE DIP

CONFIDENTIAL

STAFF IN CONFIDENCE

DESKBY 040930 Z

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG 040321Z DEC 81

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELEGRAM NUMBER 1082 OF 4 DECEMBER

PERSONAL FOR PUS FROM GOVERNOR.

(2) YOUR TELNO 915.

HKA 431/393/16

1. WHAT A RELIEF. NOW WE MUST CONCENTRATE ON GETTING THE

APPOINTMENT A SMOOTH RECEPTION HERE.

2.1 HAVE NO COMMENT ON THE TERMS OF THE LETTER. AS DRAFTED THIS

INFORMS RATHER THAN CONSULTS. I THINK WE WANT TO PLAY FOR A POSITION IN WHICH WE CAN AT LEAST SAY THAT **PROPER SOUNDINGS WERE

TAKEN'

** WITHOUT FEAR OF CONTRADICTION.

3. SIR S Y MAY

(A) BE CONTENT TO NOTE THE SOFS' DECISION AND THANK HIM FOR ADVANCE INFORMATION:

(B) SAY HE CANNOT COMMENT WITHOUT CONSULTING SENIOR COLLEAGUES (HE

IS ALWAYS NERVOUS ABOUT GOING OUT ON HIS OWN). IF I DO NOT AGREE, WHEN THE ANNOUNCEMENT IS MADE HE MAY WELL TELL THEM HE TOOK THIS LINE BUT WAS ASKED NOT TO SPEAK TO THEM, WITH CONSEQUENT UMBRAGE THAT MAY LEAK.

4. AFTER THESE MONTHS OF SPECULATION THERE IS BOUND TO BE MEDIA OPPOSITION AS WELL AS SUPPORT FOR THE APPOINTMENT. I AM THEREFORE CONCERNED TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WILL BE NO ADDITIONAL CONTROVERSY ABOUT PROCEDURAL OFFENCE TO SENIOR UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.

THEIR SUPPORT WILL BE FORTHCOMING ON THE MERITS OF THE APPOINTMENT PROVIDED THEY FEEL THE DECENCIES HAVE BEEN OBSERVED (NOT FORGETTING THE S OF S' REMARKS IN APRIL). SO IF SIR SY REACTS AS IN (B) ABOVE I SHOULD LIKE DISCRETION TO SPEAK IMMEDIATELY

TO THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AS A GROUP (THERE ARE ONLY 8). I WOULD TELL THEM OF THE S OF S DECISION AND SAY THAT THE OBJECT WAS TO ENABLE THEM TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THE APPOINTEE AND THE S OF S' REASONS FOR APPOINTING HIM. THIS WOULD ALLOW THEM TO GET ANY DOUBTS OFF THEIR CHESTS, AND IN THE

FINAL ANALYSIS THEY WILL ACCEPT THAT IT IS UP TO THE S OF S.

IN ANY CASE I REPEAT THEY WILL ACCEPT THE APPOINTMENT ON ITS MERITS. 5. WHILE A LEAK CANNOT BE EXCLUDED, IT IS UNLIKELY, AND IN ANY CASE WOULD NOT ADD MUCH TO WHAT HAS ALREADY APPEARED IN PRINT.

en

6. IN EITHER EVENT THE ABOVE PROCEDURES WOULD ENABLE US TO SAY THAT

THERE HAD BEEN PROPER SOUNDINGS. I AM SORRY IF THIS WOULD MAKE FOR

DIFFICULTY IN OTHER COLONIES, BUT THIS IS NOT A ROUTINE APPOINTMENT AND ITS CIRCUMSTANCES AND IMPORTANCE ARE EXCEPTIONAL.

7. IF YOU CAN LET ME HAVE A REPLY BY EARLY MONDAY (HK) I MIGHT BE

ABLE TO DEAL WITH SIR SY THE SAME DAY AND, IF NECESSARY WITH

UNOFFICIALS UNOBTRUSIVELY AFTER EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON TUESDAY,

MACLEHOSE

SIR. A. ACLAND)

LIMITED HD / HRAJAD HD/POD

Spus

SIR.E YOUDE CONFIDENTIAL

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