TNAG-1251-FCO40-1584-Third-countries-and-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 103

SECRET

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

RJT McLaren Esq CMG

Political Adviser HONG KONG

Dear Robin,

Telephone 01-233 3722

PA

Your reference

Our reference

Date

HKK 040/1

11 January 1983

HITKO405

RECEIVE IN CREST NO. 51 1 2 JAN 1983

OSSK OFFICER INDE

REGIST

A $ $4.

PA

↑

12

1982

see (29

FUTURE OF HONG KONG MESSRS SCHLESINGER AND HOLBROOKE

:

Thank you for your letter of 23 December 1982 to Dick Clift, who is now on leave.

1.

Eriganal

We had no advance notice

Anerded

2.

HIK 040|1

This was the first we had heard of this visit to China and, as you say, it is a pity that the Americans did not tip us off. Perhaps Stephen Gomersall will be able to pick up something.

3.

As for visiting Hong Kong, I did notice an article in the Asian Wall Street Journal of 3 November 1982 by Richard Holbrooke (copy attached) which suggested in its second paragraph that he at least had just been there. It is not a particularly accurate piece, but not as bad as some. Nonetheless a bit of briefing would doubtless have helped. If Holbrooke was in Hong Kong it does seem surprising that no contact was made.

ever

You?

Warnich

cc:

S J Gomersall Esq, Washington A C Galsworthy Esq, Peking PAB Thomson Esq, FED, FCO

W Morris

Hong Kong and General Department

SECRET