TNAG-1313-FCO40-1688-Future-of-Hong-Kong-views-and-involvement-of-Australia--Cana-1984 — Page 139

ESSENTIAL FACTS

A.

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

CONFIDENTIAL

EX

1. Lady Young is aware of the background to Hong Kong's future.

briefing note on the Sino-British agreement is attached.

B.

BRIEFING THE AUSTRALIANS

2.

Shortly

before the initialling of the Agreement, the Prime Minister wrote

personally to Mr Hawke describing its main features. The Prime

Minster's letter also expressed the hope that Mr Hawke would feel

able to make a personal statement of support for the Agreement.

did SO on 26 September. A copy of the text is attached.

C.

BRIEFING THE NEW ZEALANDERS

He

A

Prior to

3.

the initialling of the Agreement, the Secretary of State gave

Mr Lange in New York a personal message about it. Mr Lange subsequently issued. a helpful statement of support for the

Agreement. A copy of the text is attached.

THIS IS A COPY

THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR

40 YEARS UNDER FOI EXEMPTION No. 2761).

Hong Kong Department

October 1984

CONFIDENTIAL

19/-