TNAG-1590-FCO40-2175-Appointment-of-Sir-David-Wilson-as-new-Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 101

Confidential

3. THIS STORY COULD BE DAMAGING IF IT IS ALLOWED TO GAIN TOO MUCH CURRENCY AND WE HOPE TO KILL IT OFF QUICKLY. IT IS HOWEVER A LONDON -SOURCED STORY RELATING TO THE NEW GOVERNOR AND THE PRIME MINISTER AND IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE AN OFFICIAL DENIAL. NEWS DEPARTMENT AND SIR DAVID HIMSELF, IF THE OPPORTUNITY ARISES, MAY WELL WISH TO SCOTCH THE REPORT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IN THE MEANTIME DIS IS TALKING BEHIND THE SCENES TO TRUSTED CONTACTS IN THE MEDIA WITH A VIEW TO DOING SO.

4. THIS REPORT WAS THE ONLY JARRING NOTE IN THE COVERAGE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT, WHICH WAS EXHAUSTIVELY REPORTED BY ALL SECTIONS OF THE MEDIA. COVERAGE, COMMENTARY AND REACTION WERE ON THE WHOLE VERY POSITIVE. WE WILL BE SENDING DETAILED REPORTS IN THE USUAL

WAY.

AKERS-JONES

YYYY

HMLNAN 7350

LIMITED

HKD

NEWS D PS

PS/MR RENTON

MR GILMORE

SIR D. WILSON

COPIES TO HKGO- LONDON

Confidentie!