TNAG-1437-FCO40-1921-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 31

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(C) AS FOR REPORTED STATEMENTS BY INDIVIDUALS, WE CAN ONLY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR STATEMENTS BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AS SUCH. WHEN WE MAKE THEM, OUR WORDS ARE CAREFULLY CHOSEN. ON THE SUBSTANCE OF CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, THE HKG AND NCNA NOW HAVE A DIALOGUE WHICH WE VALUE: BUT THIS CANNOT BE TAKEN TO MEAN THAT WE CAN OR WILL MUZZLE INDIVIDUAL EXPRESSIONS OF OPINION. NOR IS MR SHAO'S CONCEPT THAT WE SHOULD CONSULT WITH CHINA BEFORE ADDRESSING THE PRESS ACCEPTABLE.

4. IN GENERAL WE WOULD SEEK TO PERSUADE NCNA THAT OVER-SENSIVITY ON THESE ISSUES WILL ONLY LEAD TO UNPROFITABLE WRANGLING.

5. WE COULD GO ON TO SAY THAT IF ANYONE HAD CAUSE FOR COMPLAIN IT WOULD BE THE UK SIDE. MR JH WOULD NO DOUBT HAVE READ THE ARTICLE IN THE MIRROR MAGAZINE (MY SECOND IFT) AND HE WOULD HAVE RECOGNISED IN IT A NUMBER OF PHRASES CLOSELY REMINISCENT OF THINGS THE CHINESE HAD SAID TO US, SUPPOSEDLY IN CONFIDENCE, AND BRIEFINGS WHICH, ACCORDING TO PRESS CIRCLES, EMINATE FROM NCNA. WE HAD NOT MADE AN OFFICIAL ISSUE OF THIS EVEN THOUGH WE MIGHT HAVE HAD GOOD

JUSTIFICATION FOR DOING SO.

YOUDE

HONG KONG AGREEMENT: RESTRICTED

LIMITED

HD/FED

HD/HKD

RESEARCH D (FE)

D/HD PUSD

MR. WILSON

COPIES TO:

MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS MR WOOD LEGAL ADVISERS

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