SECRET
Mr Donald
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
1.
HKI OLO
ож
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
29 JAN/981
DESK OFFICER
Sir E Youde has asked to see a draft paperExon this by 26 January. I attach drafts as follows
2.
REGISTRY
Action Taken
Aw 29/1
a) the main paper based on an outline agreed with Sir E Youde.
(Annexes A and C are included. Annex B will be ready next week).
b) a shorter covering note summarising the main points and
drawing conclusions.
The papers are intended in the first place as background material for the Secretary of State's visit to the Far East at the end of March. The idea is to remind Ministers of the medium and long-term problems, not to offer final solutions. In addition, the section of the main paper entitled 'Medium Term' (paragraphs 7-17) would serve as contingency briefing in case the Chinese raise specific questions with us (eg on sovereignty or a Chinese Representative) during Ministerial and other contacts.
3. The drafts have not been cleared with the Governor of Hong Kong or HM Ambassador, Peking. They have seen an earlier outline. Sir P Cradock has commented that he regards the contingency study on sovereignty and a Chinese Representative as the most important aspect.
4. To save time I am addressing this to you with simultaneous copies to Mr McLaren and Mr Watts. I will include as many amendments as possible in a version to go to Sir E Youde on Friday night. There will, however, be ample opportunity for further changes after that.
5. I should recall Sir E Youde's stress on the delicacy of this subject. Because of the risk confidence in Hong Kong, know- ledge of it is on a strict need-to-know basis here and in Hong Kong where only the Governor, Chief Secretary and Political Adviser are aware of it. In London we are not consulting outside the FCO.
22 January 1980
cc Mr McLaren FED
Dip
Mr Watts Legal Advisers
R D Clift
Hong Kong and General Department
SECRET
11)
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.