TNAG-1748-FCO40-2467-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1988 — Page 282

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MDHOAN 6183

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FM FCO

TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

TELNO 1270

OF 17130OZ MAY 88

95

YOUR TELNO 1780-2: SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO HONG KONG:

REQUESTS FOR MEETINGS

1. THE SECRETARY OF STATE AGREES THAT MEETINGS WITH THE TWO

GROUPS CONCERNED CANNOT BE FITTED INTO HIS PROGRAMME. HE IS

HOWEVER GLAD TO NOTE THAT HE WILL MEET MR JOHANNESSEN AT DINNER ON 30 MAY (YOUR TELNO 1803). HE ALSO FEELS THAT SOME OF THE

SIGNATORIES OF THE LETTER IN SECOND TUR COULD APPROPRIATELY BE

INCLUDED IN THE LUNCH FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ON 31 MAY.

2. ASSUMING THAT THIS CAN BE DONE, HE WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF THE

PRIVATE SECRETARY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE COULD REPLY TO THE TWO

LETTERS IN SLIGHTLY SOFTER TERMS THAN IN YOUR PROPOSED DRAFT ALONG THE LINES, MUTATIS MUTANDIS, OF THE FOLLOWING: QUOTE ... I HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO SAY THAT HE IS MOST GRATEFUL

FOR YOUR LETTER. HE WISHES DURING HIS VISIT TO HEAR A WIDE RANGE

OF VIEWS FROM THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY INCLUDING THE VIEWS OF GROUPS SUCH AS YOURS. TIME WILL NOT PERMIT HIM TO HAVE SEPARATE MEETINGS WITH ALL SUCH GROUPS, BUT THE SECRETARY OF STATE HOPES THAT HE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE SOME OF YOUR NUMBER AT LUNCH ON 31 MAY UNQUOTE.

3.

WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL TO BE CONSULTED ON ANY FURTHER REQUESTS

FOR MEETINGS BEFORE A REPLY IS SENT.

HOWE

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DISTRIBUTION

36

ΜΑΙΝ

35

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HKD

PRU

PROTOCOL DEPARTMENT

PS

PS/LORD GLENARTHUR

PS/PUS

MR GILLMORE