TNAG-1747-FCO40-2466-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1988 — Page 84

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Hong Kong Department

29 April 1988

PS/Lord Glenarthur

Mr McLaren

Mr Adams, SEAD

News Dept

Protocol Dept

SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO HONG KONG, 19-31 MAY: ANNOUNCEMENT

Problem

The Governor wishes to start making arrangements in Hong Kong for the Secretary of State's visit, and in order to avoid

1.

embarrassing leaks, he has asked that an announcement should be made

as soon as possible.

Recommendation

2. I recommend that, to forestall any leaks and speculation in Hong Kong, an announcement be made in London on 4 May along the

following lines:

"Sir Geoffrey Howe, QC, MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwewalth Affairs, will pay a visit to Hong Kong from 29 to 31 May".

3. When making the announcement, News Department might add unattributably that there is no specific reason for this short visit. The Secretary of State last paid a full visit to Hong Kong in 1984, while in 1986 he made a short stopover during a state visit to China. During his visit the Secretary of State will have discussions with the Governor, members of the Executive and Legislative Councils as well as meeting officials and prominent

CONFIDENTIAL