CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 0149
OF 181715Z JANUARY 88
CONFIDENTIAL
157554
MDHOAN 6854
ond
НКВ. Он HKB
RECEIVED NYÍ
19 JAN 1988
TOP COPY Q DIST 7
!
20
MIPT: MR MARTIN LEE: PRESS LINE
1.
IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST FROM MR MARTIN LEE, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY AND THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE FOREIGN OFFICE RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG, LORD GLENARTHUR, HAVE BOTH OFFERED TO SEE HIM IN THE COURSE OF HIS CURRENT VISIT TO LONDON. IN ADDITION WE HAVE INVITED MR LEE AND HIS DELEGATION TO CALL ON A SENIOR OFFICIAL IN THE FCO WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, MR ROBIN MCLAREN. TO OUR REGRET, MR LEE HAS INDICATED THAT HE WOULD BE UNWILLING TO GO THROUGH WITH THE CALLS ON THE FOREIGN SECRETARY AND LORD GLENARTHUR UNLESS HE IS ACCOMPANIED BY THE REST OF HIS DELEGATION HE HAS NOT TAKEN UP OUR OFFER OF A MEETING
WITH MR MCLAREN.
(DEFENSIVE)
2.
PEOPLE IN HONG KONG HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE FULLEST OPPORTUNITY, IN THE COURSE OF THE CURRENT REVIEW OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, TO MAKE THEIR VIEWS KNOWN ON ALL THE ISSUES COVERED IN THE GREEN PAPER. MINISTERS DECIDED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE PRACTICABLE THEMSELVES TO RECEIVE REPRESENTATIVES OF EACH PARTICULAR STRAND OF OPINION WHO MIGHT WISH TO MAKE FURTHER REPRESENTATIONS. BUT THEY HAVE AGREED TO RECEIVE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, IF AT ALL POSS- IBLE IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SPECIAL POSITION IN HONG KONG. THIS IS WHAT THEY WERE READY TO DO ON THE PRESENT OCCASION, EVEN THOUGH MR LEE MADE HIS REQUEST AT VERY SHORT NOTICE.
HOWE
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MAIN
48
DISTRIBUTION
50
HONG KONG AGREEMENT RESTRICTED
LIMITED
HKD
PUSD
PAGE
PS/LORD GLENARTHUR
PS/MR EGGAR
1
CONFIDENTIAL
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