TNAG-1886-FCO40-2677-Overseas-visits-by-Sir-David-Wilson--Governor-of-Hong-Kong---1989 — Page 38

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CONFIDENTIAL

Subject E is desirable. Subjects The Governor's programme is

Subjects A-D are most important.

F-G may be covered if time allowed.

also attached.

3. The Secretary of State will wish to discuss with the Governor

the handling of his call on the Prime Minister, which takes place later that day. The Secretary of State has approved the paper on Hong Kong that is being sent to No 10 in advance of the meeting.

The aim of that paper, and of the call itself, is to reassure the Prime Minister about the correctness of our policies on Hong Kong,

and to get across the message that a great deal of work is being

done to make sure that the Joint Declaration sticks. The Prime

Minister could well have her own agenda: it could include air

services and passports for investors. The Governor will need to

raise Vietnamese boat people (see para 5 below).

4.

the

The Foreign Affairs Committee Enquiry is another major

concern. We shall be discussing the detailed arrangements with the

Governor. The Secretary of State will wish to discuss some aspects

himself, such as the form the Governor's evidence should take;

impact in Hong Kong of the Enquiry: Chinese sensitivities.

(Brief A).

5. The other key concern is Vietnamese Boat People. The

Governor is likely to express his concern about the damaging effect

on our credibility of delay in confirming our resettlement decision.

It would be very helpful if our reserve could be lifted during the

Governor's visit. I have submitted separately on this.

Sir D Wilson could also update the Secretary of State on other

aspects of the problem (eg local feelings about liberalisation;

the UNHCR's criticism of the screening procedures; progress on

repatriation). He may also wish to discuss prospects for the

International Conference and the Secretary of State's role.

(Brief B).

6. Discussion of the Basic Law is likely to focus on the key

remaining areas of difficulty, and in particular on the policy

articles. The Secretary of State might wish to ask the Governor

for his assessment of the way forward. He will want to consider

CONFIDENTIAL