TNAG-1317-FCO40-1720-Future-of-Hong-Kong-meetings-of-the-Cabinet-Defence-and-Over-1984 — Page 10

WHITE

PAPER

SECILI

SPEAKING NOTE ON PART ONE OF THE WHITE PAPER FOR THE SECRETARY OF

STATE'S USE AT THE MEETING OF OD (K) ON 12 SEPTEMBER 1984

1. Have circulated text of part one of draft White Paper to colleagues.

EXCO have seen text and proposed minor changes. Still making minor improvements in response to advice from Hong Kong and Peking.

2. Urgency because important in Hong Kong that should be published simultaneously with intialling. This requires text to go to printers quickly.

3. Main purpose is to put agreement in context of negotiations, to explain how we came to open negotiations with Chinese, and to give general account of the negotiations. Important Hong Kong should understand we did not give up easily on continued British administration.

4.

5.

Crucial section is that on "Views of HMG on the Agreement"

- explains alternatives to acceptance of the agreement.

gives clear view that agreement is a good one.

Part two of the White Paper will consist of agreement and its annexes. Part three will be a detailed explanation of the implications of the annexes. Part four will consist of appended documents. Part three now in draft and being discussed with Hong Kong and Peking. Though important, mainly detail and do not propose to circulate in OD (K).

Non Adeuld bus

Land

6.

Grateful for colleagues' agreement to text which can then, subject to further minor amendments, be put in print.

SECRET