CONFIDENTIAL
5. In fact no decision was taken at the meeting on 31 May about the timing or venue of the first Expo under the new post 1995 arrangements. The Austrians and Hungarians confirmed their joint bid, one of long standing for a slot in 1995. Before accepting this, the BIE will have to establish whether there are any other claims for the first slot under the new arrangements. The deadline
The BIE for registration of such claims is 20 November this year. assembly in December will note all registrations received, but will not take any decisions. It will need time to examine full bids and
A final to make preliminary visits to each of the places concerned.
Other decision is likely to be taken in the summer of 1989. candidates for the years between 1995 and 2000 are likely to come forward eg Hanover for 1998.
Initial
6. In Hong Kong the Governor has established a working group of officials to examine the feasibility of the project. reports indicate that some of the practical problems (site, infrastructure, airport capacity) may make the project undesirable, and Hong Kong may conclude that a smaller scale event would be preferable. The media in Hong Kong have been quick to spot the absence of any encouraging statements from London: there are also reports that the official working group is having second thoughts
about the idea.
7.
We have spelt out to the Governor Ministers very strong reservations about the proposal, both on its own merits and for the wider exhibition policy reasons. We have reflected to him Ministers' desire that the Hong Kong Government conclude for themselves that the practical problems of hosting such an event are
overwhelming.
8.
There has been no contact with the Chinese about the idea. Although Xu Jiatun, the head of NCNA in Hong Kong, reacted favourably to the idea in public, it is most unlikely that the Chinese Government have focussed on it or thought through the
implications.
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.