CONFIDENTIAL
7410 1
PP PEKING
GRS 240
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO 14153OZ DEC 83
TO PRIORITY PEKING
TELEGRAM NUMBER 881 OF 15 DECEMBER
INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG (PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR)
*.
PERSONAL FOR AMBASSADOR FROM CLIFT
ARRIVAL OF NEW AMBASSADOR
HKK 040/12.
RLCEVED INù ritu
107
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1. RICHARD EVANS HAS ASKED ME TO CONSULT YOU ABOUT THE TIMING OF
HIS ARRIVAL IN PEKING IN THE CONTEXT OF THE NEGOTIATIONS ON
HONG KONG. NOW THAT IT IS AGREED THAT EXCO SHOULD VISIT LONDON
FOR TALKS WITH MINISTERS ON 16 JANUARY, EVANS HAS PUT BACK HIS
DEPARTURE TO THE 18TH. IT IS CLEARLY IMPORTANT THAT HE SHOULD
BE PRESENT AT THOSE DISCUSSIONS. THIS WILL MEAN THAT HE WILL
NOT ARRIVE IN PEKING UNTIL 19 JANUARY AND WILL THEN HAVE ONLY
THREE WORKING DAYS BEFORE THE START OF THE NEXT ROUND OF TALKS
ON 25 JANUARY. THIS IS VERY LITTLE TIME IN WHICH TO SETTLE IN,
PEESENT HIS LETTERS AND PREPARE FOR THE TALKS. (HE HAS BEEN
TOLD BY THE CHINESE AMBASSADOR HERE THAAARRANGEMENTS FOR
PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS COULD BE MADE VERY QUICKLY, BUT EVEN
SO TIMING WOULD BE EXTREMELY TIGHT).
2. I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR VIEWS AND THOSE OF THE GOVERNOR
THE PRACTICABILITY OF THE POSTPONEMENT OF THE TALKS. EVEN A SHIFT TO
30 AND 31 JANUARY, WHICH WOULD STILL GET THE TALKS IN BEFORE THE
CHINESE NEW YEAR, WOULD BE A REAL HELP TO EVANS.
3. IF YOU THINK THAT WE SHLD STICK TO THE CURRENTLY AGREED
DATES, EVANS WILL OF COURSE FALL IN WITH THAT. BUT IT MAY BE
WORTH EXPLORING ALTERNATIVES.
4. EVANS DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE PUS WHO AGREED THAT WE SHOULD
SOUND YOU OUT.
HOWE
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
PS/PUS
MR GIFFARD
MR DONALD
CONFIDENTIAL
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