TNAG-1330-FCO40-1757-Future-of-Hong-Kong-test-of-the-acceptability-of-the-Joint-D-1984 — Page 13

CONFIDENTIAL FUTURE EGRET

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4. WE APOLOGISE FOR PRESENTING YOU WITH THESE UNATTRACTIVE OPTIONS, BUT THEY REFLECT A REAL CONCERN ON THE PART OF MINISTERS THAT THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES SHOULD GO AS WELL AS POSSIBLE. CONSIDERING WHAT CAN BE DONE WE HAVE EXCLUDED THE OPTION OF PUBLICATION IN HONG KONG ON THE MORNING AFTER PUBLICATION IN LONDON, ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE TO YOU. IF YOU WERE ABLE TO GET THE REPORTS TO US BY SPECIAL COURIER ON MONDAY 26 NOVEMBER INSTEAD OF TUESDAY 27 NOVEMBER WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO PUBLISH IN THE MORNING OF 29 NOVEMBER

AND ALL OUR PROBLEMS WOULD BE SOLVED: BUT WE ASSUME THAT THIS WOULD BE PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE YOUR END.

HOWE

FUTURE EGRET

LIMITED

HD/HKD HD/FED

MR WILSON

COPIES TO:-

SIR P CRADOCK

MR BURROWS LEGAL ADVISERS MR FIFOOT LEGAL ADVISERS

CONFIDENTIAL