CONFIDENTIAL
4. I EXPLAINED TO KADOOR IE THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT FULLY
APPRECIATED THE CONTRIBUTION OF CLP AND THE GUANGDONG PROJECT.
HE MUST, HOWEVER, REALISE THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND EXCO
IN PARTICULAR HAD A SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. THEY WISHED
TO ENSURE THAT THERE WAS NO IMPLICATION THAT BRITAIN HAD SOLD
HONG KONG TO BUY GUANGDONG FOR GEC. SIR SIDNEY GORDON, WHO HAD
JOINED US, CONFIRMED THAT EXCO WOULD REACT ADVERSELY TO ANY
SUGGESTION OF BEING ASKED TO RUBBER-STAMP THE PROJECT. I ADDED
THAT I WOULD ASK YOU WHETHER IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO ARRANGE
FOR A 30-MINUTE (OR EVEN 15-MINUTE) MEETING FOR KADOORIE
WITH THE PRIME MINISTER DURING HER VISIT.
5. I RECOGNISE THE PRESSURES ON THE PM'S PROGRAMME BUT STRONGLY
RECOMMEND THAT YOU TRY TO SQUEEZE KADOORIE IN. HE IS FEELING
VULNERABLE AND IN NEED OF RECOGNITION AND SUPPORT. WE CANNOT AFFORD
TO ALIENATE EITHER HIM OR CLP. I SUSPECT TOO THAT IN TRYING TO
RESTORE HIS REPUTATION WITH THE CHINESE A MEETING WITH MRS THATCHER
WOULD BE DISPROPORTIONATELY USEFUL. I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN SUCH A
MEETING IF POSSIBLE.
6. I AM NOT COPYING THIS TELEGRAM TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
ADAMS
HONG KONG AGREEMENT
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
HD/PLANNING STAFF
HD/PUSD
DEP HD/PUSD
RESEARCH DEPT (MR WALKER) PS
PS/MR LUCE
PS/PUS
SIR W HARD ING
MR WILSON
SIR J FREELAND
COPIES TO:(VIA ADR)
MR ROBERTS, NEWS DEPT
MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS
MR BURROWS, LEGAL ADVISERS
MR MARTIN, ASST STAFF CABINET
OFFICE
MR CARTLEDGE, CABINET OFFICE MR COLVIN, CABINET OFFICE
SIR P CRADOCK, NO 10 DOWNING ST SIR P CRADOCK, ROOM K195 MRBENJAMIN DTI VICTORIA ST
CONFIDENTIAL
FC040/1770
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