TNAG-1310-FCO40-1667-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 141

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4. I TOLD SIR S Y CHUNG THAT FOR ME TO SEEK TO PREVENT THEM ACCEPTING THE INVITATION WOULD BE A PROPAGANDA GIFT TO THE CHINESE. WHATEVER THE POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS FOR THE NEGOTIATIONS, WE SHOULD NOT IN ANY WAY WISH TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION OF SEEKING TO PREVENT HONG KONG CHINESE TALKING DIRECTLY TO PEKING. INDEED A DIRECT EXPRESSION OF VIEWS IN THIS WAY COULD BE VERY HELPFUL. BUT AS A COURTESY I THOUGHT THAT I SHOULD LET YOU AND THE P.M. KNOW OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS SO THAT ANY COMMENTS YOU MIGHT HAVE COULD BE CONVEYED TO HIM BEFORE XU CAME BACK WITH HNS CONFIRMATION OF THE INVITATION. IF CONFIRMED THE CHINESE WILL BE THINKING IN TERMS OF A VISIT SOON AFTER THE DELEGATIONS RETURN FROM LONDON ON MAY 20/21.

5. I SHOULD THEREFORE BE GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD TELEGRAPH ANY COMMENTS YOU MAY WISH TO BE CONVEYED TO SIR S Y CHUNG AND MR LEE TO REACH HONG KONG BY 09003OZ. THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL THEN SPEAK TO SIR S Y CHUNG BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE FOR LONDON TOMORROW EVENING (MR LEE IS REMAINING IN HONG KONG).

HADDON-CAVE

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

ED/PLANNING STAFF

ED/PUSD

D/HD/PUSD

RES.B. (MR TALKER)

LEGAL ADVISER (MR FREELAND)..

PS

PS/LADY YOUNG

PS/M LUCE

PS/9US

SHR J BULLARD

SIR W HAFÐING

IR WILSON

ER FRIGHT

SIR C TICKENET,

2

COPIES TO:

BUCKINGHAM PALACK

PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

PS/HOME SECRETARY

PS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXOSEQUER

PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL

PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY

COPIES TO: (VIA ADR)

MR ROBERTS

MR. BURROWS

I ́EYS ́ ́D'

LEGAL IDYS

KR 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

BIR P CRADOCK MI KĪRS

SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING STREET

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