TNAG-1332-FCO40-1762-Future-of-Hong-Kong-White-Paper-on-the-Joint-Declaration-1984 — Page 310

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SECRET

FUTURE EGRET

FM HONG KONG 13163OZ AUG 84

TO PRIORITY FCO

INFO PRIORITY PEKING

SECRET

TELEGRAM NUMBER 2338 OF 13 AUGUST

FOR CRADOCK FROM GOVERNOR

MICK ABSO

13 AUG 1984

DESK OFFICER

PA

JAK

Copy

REGISTRY Action Taken

30/114/5/9

FUTURE EGRET: WHITE PAPER ON THE OUTCOME OF THE NEGOTIATIONS

1. AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE WORKED UP AN ACTION PLAN FOR HANDLING THE WHITE PAPER ON THE AGREEMENT HERE FROM THE PRE-PUBLICATION STAGE THROUGH TO THE FINAL FOLLOW UP STAGE WHICH WILL COINCIDE WITH THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE AND SIGNATURE.

2. ! PRESUME THOUGHT HAS BEEN GIVEN IN THE OFFICE TO THE NEED FOR BRIEFING MATERIAL TO BE SENT IN ADVANCE OF THE PUBLICATION OF THE AGREEMENT TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES. IT WILL BE IMPORTANT ALSO THAT INSTRUCTIONS SENT TO POSTS MAKE IT CLEAR THAT BRIEFING SHOULD

AND SPREAD BEYOND GOVERNMENT CIRCLES TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, MORE GENERALLY, PARTICULARLY IN THOSE COUNTRIES WHICH ARE HONG KONG'S MAIN TRADING PARTNERS: AND THAT THERE WILL BE A STRONG UK AS WELL AS HONG KONG INTEREST IN THE AGREEMENT ACHIEVING A FAVOURABLE RECEPTION. HOPE, THEREFORE, A REASONABLY SENIOR MEMBER OF EACH POST CAN BE TASKED TO CO-ORDINATE THE BRIEFING AND THAT, IN THE US AND EUROPE, THE STAFF OF OUR OWN OFFICES IN WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, BRUSSELS AND GENEVA WILL BE INCLUDED IN A JOINT EFFORT WITH THEIR PARENT EMBASSIES SO THAT THEIR SERVICES CAN BE EFFECTIVELY BROUGHT INTO PLAY. WE HAVE KEPT THEM AS FULLY IN THE PICTURE AS POSSIBLE DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS OR SO WITH SUITABLE BRIEFING MATERIAL AND PRESS SUMMARIES. IT WILL BE HELPFUL TO KNOW WHO IN THE EMBASSIES IN WASHINGTON, BRUSSELS, GENEVA ETC WILL BE THE CO-ORDINATORS SO THAT WE CAN SEND INSTRUCTIONS TO OUR PEOPLE TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THEM.

3. AS REGARDS THE UK, OBVIOUSLY OUR LONDON OFFICE WILL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY. I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF 'THE DEPARTMENT WOULD GIVE SOME THOUGHT HOW THEIR SERVICES MIGHT MOST USEFULLY BE CO-ORDINATED WITH THE ACTIVITIES OF MINISTERS IN PRESENTING THE AGREEMENT AND WITH THE PUBLIC RELATIONS ACTIVITIES OF THE FCO ON THIS ISSUE GENERALLY. I SPOKE TO CATER ON MY LAST VISIT TO THE UK ON THIS

ASKING HIM TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH GALSWORTHY.

9

YOUDE

LIMITED

COPIES TO:-

HD/HKD

HD/FED

SIR W HARDING

MR BURROWS MR FIFOOT

SIR P CRADOCK

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