TNAG-1313-FCO40-1688-Future-of-Hong-Kong-views-and-involvement-of-Australia--Cana-1984 — Page 199

SECRET

Pu

HAD

119

M. Pawell.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

(See also c4d13

MILK 0496

13 September 1984

17 SEP 1984

Dear Charles,

PREX

A

Future of Hong Kong:

ព

MY

OM2119

Briefing the Australians and Americans

We have been intensifying the briefing of our allies on the talks on the future of Hong Kong over the last few weeks, with the aim of eliciting positive statements by Governments on the agreement on its initialling in late September.

In the case of the Americans and Australians we had planned to send messages from Sir Geoffrey Howe to Mr Hayden and Mr Shultz shortly before initialling, asking them to make supportive statements. Canberra has now advised that

it would be better to seek a supportive statement from Mr Hawke. The best way to secure this would be by a message from the Prime Minister. Washington have also advised that the Prime Minister should send a message to President Reagan, since a decision whether to make such a statement on Hong Kong will be taken at that level.

If the Prime Minister agrees to send such messages we would forward drafts nearer to the date of initialling.

Yours ever,

Lee Appleyard

(L V Appleyard) Private Secretary

C D Powell Esq

10 Downing Street

?.

THIS IS A COPY

THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR

40 YEARS UNDER FOI EXEMPTION NO...27(1)

SECRET