TNAG-1558-FCO40-2122-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 174

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HOPE THAT IF THEY DO DECIDE TO COME YOU CAN AT LEAST PERSUADE THEM NOT TO SET OUT UNTIL AN APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN MADE WITH THE PRIME MINISTER. IT WOULD BE VERY UNFORTUNATE IF THERE APPEARED TO BE A REBUFF ARISING SOLELY OUT OF THE PRIME MINISTER'S DIARY

DIFFICULTIES.

4.

WE CAN SEE THE DIFFICULTIES OUTLINED IN PARA 4 OF YOUR TELNO 146. HOWEVER WE THINK THAT THESE ONLY REALLY APPLY IF THE

PROVIDED DOOR HAS BEEN SHUT BEFORE THE UNOFFICIALS COME HERE.

THAT IT CAN BE LEFT OPEN, WE DO NOT NECESSARILY THINK THAT THERE WOULD BE SERIOUS POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES IF IT WERE DECIDED TO MAKE A CONCESSION AFTER THEIR VISIT.

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HOWE

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PS

PS/MR RENTON

PS/PUS

SIR W HARDING

DR WILSON

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