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Martin Lee was in Washington from 4 to 6 April, and then again on 11/12 April as part of a tour of the US which had also taken him to the West Coast, New York and Boston. Peter Lo and I attended a lunch given for him by the Heritage Foundation. Lee spoke along the lines of his article in the Wall Street Journal of 4 April (copy enclosed). He was given a polite hearing by a basically sympathetic group. Peter Lo and I did our best to put the HMG/HKG view. I did not get the impression that Lee evoked much enthusiasm even at the Heritage end of the spectrum. He certainly got no coverage at all in the media here, despite a speech to the National Press Club, and a meeting with the US Chamber of Commerce.
6. Martin Lee called at the State Department on Dick Williams (Director of the Office of Chinese Affairs, formerly of the
US Consulate in Hong Kong, and an old acquaintance of Martin Lee). Williams told me that he challenged many of Lee's assumptions and left him in no doubt that the Administration were not going to touch his crusade with a barge pole. Lee also saw Ambassador Schifter, who seems to be taking something of an interest in Hong Kong at present (my letter of 30 March). Williams told me that nothing much of interest transpired, but I am still trying to obtain a fuller account, without appearing too eager.
7. On the Hill, Lee saw Solarz, and, inevitably, Porter. But if he was hoping to stir up significant interest in the direct elections issue, he seems to have failed.
PF Ricketts
cc: Deputy Political Adviser, Hong Kong
Mr Lo, HKGO
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