TNAG-1255-FCO40-1588-Third-countries-and-the-future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 160

CODE 18-77

Mr Morris HKD

ठीक

CONFIDENTIAL

NATO PAPER ON ASIA: HONG KONG

-

MNORS

Reference

to me an

3346)

ник око 15

9/10

1 We spoke yesterday and I mentioned that at the Nato Expert Working Group on Asia last week, others notably the French and Canadians were disappointed that we were not able to comment on developments on Hong Kong, or on Chinese attitudes, when Chinese foreign policy was under discussion. This was the more obvious in contrast to the US representative's frankness over US/Chinese relations and the question of Taiwan.

2 The committee chairman (David Johnson, on secondment) was able to suggest that while the committee's paper might omit any reference to Hong Kong, Sir John Graham might be expected to brief his colleagues when the paper was eventually taken in the Nato Council later in the

year.

3 This is just to alert you to a possible request from UKDEL Nato for briefing; and to suggest that on future occasions (though next year's EWG on Asia is the next I can think of) whoever goes from our side should have a fairly anodyne piece he can say on Hong Kong if only as a courtesy to our Nato allies.

14 September 1983

сс Mr Friar

Research Dept

Mr Currie FED

Сезвизал

CM J Segar

South East Asian Department

W 86A 233 5073

MKK040/5

RECEIVED IN AEG OTRt. SEP 1933

INDEX

Mr Clift

1.

Our confidential talks with the Chinese are a rather different matter from US/Chinese relations and the Taiwan question (para 1), and in any case there was a Guidance tel last month on the future.

2.

Nonetheless I see no harm in giving UKDEL NATO a copy of our basic note on the future so that if the subject comes up at any time. they can draw on that and any Guidances in order to keep their end up. If you agree I will drop Robert Alston, the Head of Chancery, a line.

3. The question of a more formal briefing by Sir J Graham (para 2) is another matter, however, and one on which they should seek our advice and a line to take in good time.

20 September 1983

Mr. Muis

And we not use the line

taken by Mr. Donald at the AWG? Pl. speak

CONFIDENTIAL

W Morris