TNAG-1156-FCO40-1436-Visits-by-FCO-Ministers-to-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 32

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr. Me Qurate

37

HICK 026/3

Mr. Hoare B0/10

Private Secretary

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FCm 1574

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See also

Hiele 02/1

LORD BELSTEAD'S VISIT TO ASIA

1.

Lord Belstead proposes to visit South East Asia in mid- lect

December. The principal focus will be to Chair an ASEAN Heads of Mission Conference in Bangkok on 13/14 December, two years since the last such Conference. A short, separate, bilateral visit to Thailand is inevitable in these circumstances, and Lord Belstead proposes to stay on for three days to do this.

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2. During the week preceeding the Conference Lord Belstead, as Junior Minister responsible, would plan to visit Hong Kong for about four days (subject of course to any developments between now and then in negotiations on the future). His purpose would be largely familiarisation, but this visit would also form part of our deliberate effort to maintain the momentum of Ministerial attention to Hong Kong at a time when the territory is acutely conscious of its relationship with HMG. The Governor has been consulted orally and welcomes the proposal.

3.

While in the area Lord Belstead would also visit Brunei, very briefly. This would be for familiarisation.. We shall need to take increasing account of Brunei over the next year as the territory approaches full independence, and as negotiations with the Sultan on the future of the Gurkha battalions in Brunei progress.

4.

Lord Belstead would therefore be away from 5-17 December.

5. Lord Belstead would be most grateful for the Secretary of State's approval in principle to this visit so that we may explore details with the posts concerned. If agreed, I shall-in due course submit a normal Private Secretary letter to No 10 and the Whips.

6 October 1982

cc:

Mr Donald

Mr Burns, SEAD Mr Clift, HKGD

M Altun

M A Arthur

PS/Lord Belstead

CONFIDENTIAL