TNAG-1317-FCO40-1720-Future-of-Hong-Kong-meetings-of-the-Cabinet-Defence-and-Over-1984 — Page 14

SECRET

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

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

Still

Have circulated text of part one of draft White Paper to

colleagues.

EXCO have seen text and proposed minor changes. 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. Crucial section is that on "Views of HMG on the Agreement".

5.

-

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).

6.

Grateful for colleagues' agreement to text which can then,

subject to further minor amendments, be put in print.

SECRET