CONFIDENTIAL
00 GOV HONG KONG DESKBY 220100Z
GRS 265
CONFIDENTIAL
DESKBY 220100Z
FM FCO 211800Z MAY 82
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 384 OF 21 MAY
INFO PEKING
(27)
FOR GOVERNOR FROM DONALD
copied personal
Sin J, Cater.
HKGO
22
TOP COPY
6640 1
мінн
20/2
REGASTE, NO 51
No
AF1⁄46
YOUR TELNO 531: UNOFFICIALS' SUPPORT FOR FALKLANDS
1. I FEEL SURE, PARTICULARLY WITH THE NEWS OF FURTHER MILITARY
ACTION IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC TODAY, THAT AT THIS TIME PUBLICITY
OF THE KIND PROPOSED IN PARA 1 OF YOUR TELEGRAM WOULD NOT BE IN
THE INTERESTS OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE THEMSELVES AND COULD BE
MISCONSTRUED, NOT ONLY IN PEKING. BUT YOU MAY CERTAINLY TELL
THE UNOFFICIALS PRIVATELY THAT THEIR MORAL SUPPORT IS WARMLY
WELCOMED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND BY HMG.
2. ON THE MATERIAL OFFER, WE SHALL CLEARLY HAVE TO CONSULT. MINISTERS. THERE MAY INDEED BE SOME USE FOR SUCH A SUM IN HELP
FOR THE FALKLAND ISLANDERS WHEN PEACE IS RESTORED. THERE MAY BE
OTHER CHARITABLE OR PEACEFUL USES WHICH COULD REDOUND TO HONG.
KONG'S CREDIT. ON THE OTHER HAND MONEY MAY NOT BE THE BEST WAY
OF SHOWING HONG KONG'S SUPPORT AT THIS JUNCTURE OF THE CRISIS.
3. IF THE MONEY WERE TO BE A GIFT FROM THE HONG KONG
GOVERNMENT TO HMG, THIS COULD CREATE POLITICAL DIFFICULTY. IF
IT WERE PRIVATE MONEY OR A PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION, ITS USE FOR
CHARITABLE PURPOSES SHOULD CAUSE LESS PROBLEM. COULD YOU PLEASE
CLARIFY THIS?
4.
I WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD RETURN A STALLING REPLY
FOR THE TIME BEING WHILE THANKING THE UNOFFICIALS FOR THEIR
GENEROUS OFFER. IF PUBLICITY EITHER FOR MORAL (ONLY) OR FOR MORAL
AND MATERIAL SUPPORT SEEMS LATER TO BE DESIRABLE, I AGREE WITH
YOUR SUGGESTION THAT IT SHOULD BE MADE CLEAR THAT THE GESTURE
WAS MADE IMMEDIATELY ON YOUR ARRIVAL AS GOVERNOR.
PYM
LIMITED
PS/LD BELSTEAD
PS/PUS
MR GIFFARD
HD/HKGD
HD/SAMD
PS
MR DONALD
PS/MR ONSLOW
MR URE
CONFIDENTIAL
See (30
noted pas 24/1- BU/3 days
CGE 24/5
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