TNAG-1742-FCO40-2461-Proposed-visit-by-Lord-Glenarthur--Minister-of-State-for-For-1988 — Page 12

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30DE 1988

VISIT BY LORD GLENARTHUR: 7-12 JANUARY

WE HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM WINSTON POON, A BARRISTER, ON BEHALF OF 11 OTHERS, WHO ARE ALL MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG OBSERVERS, ASKING FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH LORD GLENARTHUR DURING HIS VISIT.

2.

YOU WILL RECALL THAT ANOTHER OF THE GROUP, JOHN CHAN, MADE A SIMILAR REQUEST FOR THEM TO SEE THE SECRETARY OF STATE DURING HIS VISIT IN 1987. THIS WAS REJECTED BUT TWO MEMBERS, ANNE WU AND ANTHONY NG, WERE INVITED TO A LUNCH WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

3.

LORD GLENARTHUR MET ONE OF THE GROUP, MS CHRISTINE LOH, AT LUNCH DURING HIS LAST VISIT TO HONG KONG. HE WILL NOT BE MEETING ANY OF THEM SOCIALLY DURING THIS VISIT, NOR IS THERE ANY SUITABLE

OCCASION FOR THIS.

4. TO ACCEPT THE REQUEST WOULD SET A CLEAR PRECEDENT FOR SIMILAR REQUESTS FROM OTHER GROUPS WITH WIDER COMMUNITY SUPPORT THAN THE OBSERVERS. I THEREFORE RECOMMENT THAT IT BE TURNED DOWN. WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO CONVEY LORD GLENARTHUR'S DECISION TO MR. POON.

WILSON

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PS/LORD GLENARTHUR

MR GILLMORE

MR MCLAREN

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