TNAG-1306-FCO40-1663-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 46

CODE 18-77

Mr Ham

(2231

полок летали арлет бhome

been ended, thas

in comenda!

"M241,"

Reference

FUTURE OF HONG KONG: LINE TO TAKE

1. A couple of points:

•

44

M3 Rest Misson

Ps

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(a) News Department have just discovered to their annoyance that

No 10's Press Office were told by Mr Coles over the weekend that in addition to the standard line agreed with our News Department, No 10 spokesmen could also say, in respect of the Sunday Times article, 'the reports are pure speculation

(b) Guidance Section of Information Department ask if we want

a guidance telegram issued on 'the sudden spate of articles about Hong Kong' I said not, unless we get inundated with requests from posts. I have checked our last guidance telegram which was on 18 November. This included the line for use about the outcome of the talks not being prejudged by anything said outside them, as well as the line that the talks are confidential and it would be inappropriate to divulge details at this stage. If pressed; no concessions have been made by either side of the content of an eventual agreement. These lines, in my view, can be used in connection with the Sunday Times piece.

*

23 January 1984

we

W Morris

Hong Kong Department

Теверно?

* Carried by the Day Teleprupt.

23/1

MIKKOA0/1

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