TNAG-1391-FCO40-1863-Future-of-Hong-Kong-briefing-for-meetings-and-visits-1985 — Page 11

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BRIEFS FOR THE PRIME MINISTER'S MEETINGS

WITH FOREIGN HEADS OF GOVERNMENT AND MINISTERS

Briefs should be set out under six headings as follows:

(i)

Our objectives

This should set out pithily what we wart to achieve from the meeting. The objectives should be expressed as specifically as possible (ie not just goodwill and harrony). If none can be identified, it will have been a waste of time to ask the

Prime Minister to have the meeting.

(ii)

Arguments to use

They

This should list arguments which can be used to get our way. should be related specifically to the goals and not be "the world would be a better place if ..." sort of argument.

(iii)

Tactical arguments

These will be arguments designed to highlight the weak points in the other side's policies (not necessarily those related to the specific questions being discussed). Inclusion in the brief does not mean that the arguments will necessarily be used: only that the Prime Minister will have the option of using them if the discussion

takes a particular turn.

(iv)

Their objectives

This will set out our estimate of what the other side expects to get out of the meeting and the specific points which they are likely to raise. It will be based on contacts which our Embassy will have had

beforehand with the other Government.