TNAG-1007-FCO40-1257-Appointment-of-the-new-Governor-to-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-q-1981 — Page 45

382

see 3

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Sik. Youde to see

PA

REGISTRY Action Taken

NEXT GOVERNOR OF HONG

CONG

A2Z

HKK Groll

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51

2 5 MAR 1981

DESK OFFICER INDEX

Cc:

Mr Munro, POD

Рубил

ই

24/2

Mr Donald

1.

Kuten

You may be interested to see the attached article which appeared in the "South China Morning Post" of 12 February.

2. It is a well-balanced, carefully thought out piece and must, I think, reflect the views of certain senior officials in Hong Kong.

3. What is most interesting is that it comes down firmly in favour of the next Governor being drawn from the ranks of the Diplomatic Service. An earlier article on the same subject pushed much more strongly for a politician, but Mr Choi now rules this out on the grounds that Peking would probably object and would prefer a London- based official to do the job. Mr Choi's previous article had also explored the possibility of a Hong Kong civil servant becoming Governor. There is now, wisely, no suggestion of this. However, the article heavily underlines the possibility of a further extension for Sir M MacLehose.

25 February 1981

1. Morrice

P Morrice

Hong Kong and General Department K247 233 4381

Speculation time is here again! I doubt

been

officials in Hong Kong have bear peddling

if semor officials

particulal

르

the state are a

し

bir

retirement in

names

du

the subject is contually being combed over.

But the references to HMG's "indecision" at

wonguy

Spring 1982.

по

log in advance

of

Sir Murray's

Astonald

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