TNAG-1339-FCO40-1771-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Beijing-fo-1984 — Page 326

CONFIDENTIAL

(F) PARA 13:

(1) THOUGH TRIBUTE IS PAID TO THE GOVERNOR, TO UMELCO AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THERE IS NO REFERENCE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE, WHO ALSO DESERVE A MENTION. THIS COULD BE COVERED BY AMENDING THE PENULTIMATE SENTENCE TO READ: '' SHOULD ALSO LIKE TO PAY WARM TRIBUTE TO THE EXEMPLARY MANNER IN WHICH THE

AND TO HONG KONG PUBLIC SERVICE CONTINUED TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES, THE PATIENCE AND FOREBEARANCE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AS A WHOLE.'

鸞

(11) ON REFLECTION WE THINK THAT THE SECOND HALF OF THE FINAL SENTENCE IS BETTER DELETED: AS DRAFTED IT IMPLIES THAT THE

TWO GOVERNMENTS WERE JOINTLY SEEKING TO REASSURE HONG KONG OPINION WHILE THE TALKS WERE IN PROGRESS, WHICH IS SCARCELY CONSISTENT WITH THE FACTS. WE SUGGEST THAT THIS LAST SENTENCE BE AMENDED TO READ: "IT CANNOT HAVE BEEN EASY TO LIVE WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE WHOLE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY AND ITS PEOPLE WAS BEING DETERMINED IN CONDITIONS OF SECRECY.''

HADDON-CAVE

FUTURE EGRET

LIMITED

HD/HKD HD/FED

MR WILSON

COPIES TO:- SIR P CRADOCK

MR BURROWS LEGAL ADVISERS . MR FIFOOT

LEGAL ADVISERS

SIR E YOUDE ROOM K195A

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