TNAG-1339-FCO40-1771-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Beijing-fo-1984 — Page 150

From the Private Secretary

Der Peti

(ET MON)

10 DOWNING STREET

HKK 040/57

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

11 DEC 1984

MK1)

316

PS/Mh Lice Dr Wilse

10 December 1984

Palis

Itk

REGISTRY

PA

Action Taker

Juliak

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

Mr Mayer, News +)

PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO PEKING:

MEETING WITH THE BRITISH PRESS

315

I have seen Peking telegram No. 2919 about the arrangements for briefing the British and Hong Kong correspondents in Peking.

I have consulted Bernard Ingham. His view is that the best way to proceed is for the Prime Minister to see British correspondents (both resident and visiting) at the Residence while he and Christopher Meyer brief the Hong Kong press in the Amenities Hall. This latter briefing might have to be earlier in the day. He feels that to admit 70 Hong Kong journalists to a briefing by the Prime Minister would entirely change its character. Nor is he attracted by the idea of a pool for Hong Kong journalists.

Mr. Ingham envisages the Prime Minister briefing on-the-record and not unattributably.

Mr.

I have no doubt that the Prime Minister will accept Ingham's advice on this matter.

sricrely

ই

P.F. Ricketts, Esq.,

Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

JKRAPB

(C.D. POWELL)

lu. Ham

I don't think ith pen

рашивает

Like this, particularly

if

on reend.

an

will

briefing

Bout Ith have

acquered so who are

to hold ant

هده

Zu

14/12

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