TNAG-1315-FCO40-1708-Future-of-Hong-Kong-preparation-of-the-Joint-Declaration-1984 — Page 32

:

SECRET

12/3/4

122

FROM: R D CLIFT,

HKD

DATE: 12 March 1984

attached

A,B,C,D,E

F

G

Private Secretary

Tuce

BY/M Lice

Tel to issue

In the fearch of State's

absence abroad Mr

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might wish to see

cc: PS/Mr Luce PS/PUS

D

Sir P Cradock Sir W Harding Dr Wilson

Sir I Sinclair

Mr Burrows, Legal

Advisers

Mr Thomson,

FED

Mr Walker, Research Dept Mr

Hil in der Roberts, News Dept

वनि pfe?) Schetts

(mon I see sefore despatial pre

FUTURE OF HONG KONG: TIMETABLE AND LEGCO MOTION

12/3

1. Peking telnos 402-406 reported on the Ambassador's dinner with Zhou Nan. Hong Kong telno 649 suggests that the Ambassador should revert to the question of the LEGCO debate. Peking telno 419 comments on this. HKKQ40||

(175

HKK040|1

2. I submit a draft telegram, largely drafted by Sir P Cradock, to Peking instructing the Ambassador to take up, before the LEGCO debate, both the question of the timetable and the debate itself. It is very important to discourage the Chinese strongly from any hasty reaction which might result in their becoming publicly committed to a timetable which we could not meet, specifically the idea of signature of an agreement by September.

3. I have discussed with the Governor on the telephone the Secretary of State's thought that Mr Lobo might withdraw his motion on Wednesday after it has been debated. The Governor thinks this would be impracticable and would be misunderstood in Hong Kong. People would not see it there as legitimate Parliamentary procedure but as a retreat.

(77

see

123

However the Governor has seen a number of draft speeches by LEGCO members. They are so far very responsible. They do not suggest a veto by LEGCO nor do they press for continuing British administration.

Bliss

12 March 1984

RB Clift

HKK040114 Hong Kong Department

CEIVED IN HAL:

ميرا

SECRET

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