TNAG-1308-FCO40-1665-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 64

F F 063/13

LIM 819/13

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MK Kovol

RECEIVED IN SCCIS, IS

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FCO

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DESKBY 13123OZ

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HONG KONG

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15/13

187

GR 300

10181613

SECRET TW. Hum

Mr / Prell

DESKBY FCO 13123OZ

FM PEKING 13110OZ

MAR 84

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELEGRAM NUMBER 424 OF 13 MARCH

INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

(78)

Wel Mr. Powell plead

anany

(184)

HONG KONG TELNO 661 AND YOUR TELNO 449: FUTURE OF HONG KONG:

LEGCO MOTION

1. THE MOST LIKELY CHINESE REACTION IS A STRONG STATEMENT

see

194

199

IN THE CHINESE MEDIA CONDEMNING THE MOTION, PROBABLY IN THE FORM OF

A PEOPLE' DAILY OR XINHUA COMMENTARY. A STATEMENT BY THE FOREIGN

MINISTRY SPOKESMAN IS LESS PROBABLE AS AN INITIAL REACTION,

BUT ONE COULD WELL BE PROVOKED BY PRESS QUESTIONS HERE. A STRONG

STATEMENT AT THE 10TH ROUND IS ALSO LIKELY, AND IT IS VERY POSSIBLE

THAT THE CHINESE WOULD INSIST ON LEAVING OUT THE ADJECTIVES

**USEFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE IN THE COMMUNIQUE.

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2. | CONSIDER POSTPONEMENT OF THE 10TH ROUND UNLIKELY.

I ALSO THINK IT UNLIKELY THAT THE CHINESE WOULD REFUSE VISAS

TO EITHER THE POLITICAL ADVISER OR MRS AYLWARD. I BELIEVE THAT

THEIR REFUSAL TO ALLOW THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR SECRETARY (GENERAL

DUTIES) TO COME TO PEKING IS ALREADY A RESPONSE TO THE LEGCO MOTION, AND THAT THEY ARE UNLIKELY TO GO FURTHER IN THIS RESPECT.

3. I AGREE WITH THE REACTIONS PROPOSED IN YOUR TUR TO THESE

DEVELOPMENTS.

بستن

4. IT IS JUST POSSIBLE THAT WHEN THEY SEE THE WAY THE MOTION IS

HANDLED THE CHINESE WILL DECIDE THAT IT IS NOT QUITE AS THREATENING

TO THEIR POSITION AS THEY EVIDENTLY NOW ANTICIPATE. I WOULD

NOT THEREFORE ENTIRELY RULE OUT A MORE TEMPERATE REACTION.

MUCH WILL DEPEND ON WHAT UNOFFICIALS SAY IN THE DEBATE.

EVANS

NNNN

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