TNAG-1172-FCO40-1453-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1982 — Page 121

Reference

FEH 040/1

332

SECRET

9/6

Morfis

Mr Morris (HKGD)

If wilhamen fi.

pa, 9/6 ра,

317

1. Mr Thomson has shown me a copy of your minute of 4 June. I am sorry to have gone too far in what I said to Mr Safronov about Hong Kong. In the conversational context I had felt that a blank refusal to comment would encourage Soviet speculation that we were on the verge of a secret agreement with China to perpetuate British rule in Hong Kong. Anti- Chinese propaganda on these lines, for example at inter- national meetings, would make it more difficult for the Chinese actually to take a sensible position in future negotiations. (The Soviet knife is sharp enough, as witness their recent reporting of Sir E Youde's installation in Hong Kong.)

2.

I hope that no harm will have been done on this occasion (I find it hard to imagine that Mr Safronov will be able to use my remarks to damage confidence in Hong Kong). I shall

use this form of words again, unless with your concurrence.

HKK

04011

9 June 1982

Пох

N J Cox

Far Eastern Department K255

233.5539

ヒ

Plas 1016

cc: Mr Thomson (FED)

Mr Manning (EESD W103)

Mrs Dean (Research D G60/4)

tur Alifr.

to

1. I attad a copy

have

to

Folie

the Chiume

Лимает

percolato

9/0

7

the Soviet report. The shall Kui viewT into account as will

Jwikiamum

CODE 18-77

SECRET