TNAG-1308-FCO40-1665-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 103

SECRET

GR 300

SECRET

DESKBY 07093OZ

FM HONG KONG 070810Z MAR 84

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELEGRAM NUMBER 608 OF 7 MARCH

MIPT: FUTURE OF HONG KONG: MR WALTER SULKE.

TOP COPY

HKK0401

RECEIVED IN Newbiki DAR 1984

(163)

FOLLOWING IS A REVISED DRAFT OF A REPLY:

1. BEGINS:

THE PRIME MINISTER HAS ASKED ME TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LETTER OF 13 FEBRUARY ENCLOSING A COPY OF YOUR SPEECH TO THE ROTARY CLUB HONG KONG SOUTH ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. SHE ALWAYS WELCOMES THE VIEWS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE ABOUT THE TERRITORY'S FUTURE, AND THE CONTENTS OF YOUR SPEECH HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY NOTED. I SHOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON YOUR PROPOSAL THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOW WITHDRAW FROM NEGOTIATIONS AND AWAIT A UNILATERAL CHINESE STATEMENT BEFORE TESTING OPINION IN HONG KONG. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT FAVOUR AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH, NAMELY THE PURSUIT OF DISCUSSION WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ON THE ATTAINMENT OF THE COMMON OBJECTIVE WHICH IS THE CONTINUING STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG. IN OUR VIEW IT IS THIS ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS WHICH WILL BEST ASSIST THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG. WITH REGARD TO OPINION IN HONG KONG WE HAVE REPEATEDLY MADE IT CLEAR THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO THE SEARCH FOR A SETTLEMENT ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AS WELL AS TO THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE VIEWS OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE EXPRESSED IN SUCH FORA AS THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TO BE FULLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THROUGHOUT THE TALKS. THIS PROCESS OF CONSULTATION IS A CONTINUOUS ONE, AND WE ATTACH THE HIGHEST IMPORTANCE TO IT. ENDS.

Takel

16/3

see

164)

YOUDE

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

TTTEND

HD/HIND

ED/FED

ED/PUSD

/PLANNING STAFF

D/ED/PUSD

́RES.B. (MR WALKER)

LEGAL ADVISER (SIR IAN SINCLAIR

PS

PS/LADY YOUNG

PS/HR LUCE

PS/PUS

SIR J BULLARD

STR W HARDING KR WILSON

AIR WRIGHT

STR C TICKELL

COPIES TO:

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

PS/HOME SECRETARY

PS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL

PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY

COPIES TO: (VIA ADR)

MR ROBERTS · NEWS D ́

MR BURROWS LEGAL ADVS

MR COLES NO 10 DOWNING ST

MR MARTIN ASSESSMENT STAFF CABINET OFFICE

MR GOODALL CABINET OFFICE

MR BRENNAN CABINET OFFICE PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE D PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL

SIR P CRADOCK RM K195

SECRET SIRP CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING STREET