TNAG-1024-FCO40-1274-Visit-by-Lord-Carrington--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-1981 — Page 26

Mr Fenn

SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO THE FAR EAST : BRIEFING

OF FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS BEFORE DEPARTURE

Pakistan

We have received a request from Dawn Newspaper (English language independent conservative) to interview the Secretary

of State. I recommend that the London editor be offered a

written question and answer interview before the visit. Our

regular group of Pakistani correspondents in London should be offered an unattributable briefing by officials prior to departure. There is no need to bother Lord Carrington to see the Pakistanis on this occasion as he gave a short interview to two members of the London group in November.

Hong Kong

There are two correspondents based in London who might be invited to an unattributable briefing by officials.

China

The New China News Agency were given written answers to

questions just before the postponed trip to the Far East

last autumn. These were published. The People's Daily might

be a good vehicle for a similar operation this time.

Japan

Tokyo and FED recommend one good written question and answer interview with a Japanese newspaper, preferably the Yomiuri

Shimbun. This would be followed up by a very short interview

with the Secretary of State (say ten minutes) when they would ask one further question. for him to answer personally. Jiji

Press/..

1.