TNAG-1307-FCO40-1664-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 68

SECRET

SUMMARY RECORD OF MR LUCE'S MEETING WITH FCO OFFICIALS

15 FEBRUARY 1984, at 0930 Hrs'

ON HONG KONG:

PRESENT

Pa

he

(112)

1072

Mr Luce

Sir Percy Cradock

Mr Donald

Mr Burrows

Mr Clift, HKD

Mr Thomson, FED

Mr Walker, Research Dept

PS/ MR Luce

Mr Powell, HKD

HKK040|1

IN REG.SIMY

17/E1984

DESK OF

INDEK

REISTRY

Pun Taker

Темав

FUTURE OF HONG KONG:

1.

STRATEGY AND TIMETABLE

It was agreed that the draft paper on strategy and timetable, covered by Mr Clift's submission of 14 February, should go to the Secretary of State this week. He would probably hold a meeting before making recommendations. It would be useful if the Governor could visit London, without EXCO, in the near future to discuss this issue with Ministers and officials.

2. The meeting discussed how EXCO might more readily accept the idea of an early definitive agreement:

(a)

(b)

(c)

an intensification of the talks, eg through a Lancaster House type conference could be considered. But it might make EXCO feel even more rushed.

a more systematic effort to educate Hong Kong opinion about the likely form of an agreement could be a partial substitute for an interim announcement as an initial test of acceptability Ministerial or other official pronouncements were not practic- able at present but unattributable briefing and statements by Unofficials in Hong Kong could play a part.

We should consider reassuring EXCO by pressing the Chinese to agree to continuing negotiations after this year, partic- ularly to give us a say in preparing the Basic Law.

SECRET

13.

1