343
Private Secretary
LIKKO40L
RECKIVED 1.
IN S
10 MAY 1964
Keß
LOBBY BRIEFING: HONG KONG WEDNESDAY 1145
FROM: P J Goulden
News Department
DATE: 8 May 1984
cc: Sir P Cradock
Dr Wilson Mr Clift, HKD
Mr Houston
1. Number 10 have unfortunately invited the Sunday as well as the weekly lobby to this briefing. It is too late to retract the invitation. But it reinforces the need for me to stress at the beginning that the briefing is on a background basis to help lobby correspondents in their reporting on Hong Kong from next week's debate onwards.
2. I attach a list of those who have been invited. The turn-out could be anything between 12 and 24.
3.
We will distribute copies of the Secretary of State's reference to Hong Kong in the Carmons on 24 March and of his Hong Kong statement.
4.
The main purpose of the briefing is to condition correspondents to the view that our approach to the negotiations is the only feasible and realistic one. The two main messages we want to get over are:
i) HMG were right to open the issue in September 1982 with a view to getting an agreement in 1984;
ii) there is no other alternative approach which would have any chance of ensuring stability/prosperity after 1997.
5. I attach briefing notes by Hong Kong Department and a possible lead-in and conclusion. I also attach a copy of the Secretary of State's statement and press conference from Hong Kong.
Enla
Jola
ulden
P J Goulden
:
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.