TNAG-1890-FCO40-2683-Visits-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe-and-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretaries-1989 — Page 124

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 2041

OF 22113OZ JUNE 89

27

CONFIDENTIAL

HKB 026/20

045367

MDHIAN 0798

INFO IMMEDIATE BTC HONG KONG

TOP COPY Q DIST ?

PERSONAL FOR PAUL, HKD FROM GOVERNOR

YOUR TELNO 1317:

1317: VISIT OF SECRETARY OF STATE 2-4 JULY

TAKING THE POINTS RAISED IN TUR ONE BY ONE:

(A) SPEECH: THERE WOULD BE NO DIFFICULTY WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE GIVING A SPEECH ON THE FIRST FULL DAY (IE 3 JULY). I AGREE THAT THERE WOULD BE ADVANTAGE IN DOING SO. I PROPOSE THAT HE GIVES THE SPEECH AT THE COMMUNITY LUNCH WHICH WE WILL RESCHEDULE FROM 4 TO 3 JULY. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THIS INTO A MAJOR OCCASION, INVITING ABOUT 300 COMMUNITY LEADERS AND USING THE CONVENTION CENTRE AS THE VENUE. I WOULD TAKE OVER HOSTING FROM THE CHIEF SECRETARY. THE SECRETARY OF STATE COULD GIVE HIS SPEECH FROM A DAIS AND IT COULD BE BROADCAST AND TELEVISED LIVE.

(B) PRESS CONFERENCE: UNDERSTOOD.

(C) SEE (A) ABOVE: I BELIEVE A SPEECH AT A FUNCTION WITH WIDE COMMUNITY REPRESENTATION WOULD OFFER A BETTER AND MORE NATURAL MEDIUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO GET HIS MESSAGE ACROSS THAN WOULD A STRAIGHT BROADCAST TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG OR A SPEECH TO

LEGCO OR OMELCO ALONE.

(D) VENUE FOR SPEECH: SEE (A) ABOVE.

(E) EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING: AGREED.

(F) ADVANCE VISIT BY WHITEHEAD, AND CONTENTS OF SPEECH: NOTED.

2. ON PREVIOUS VISITS THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND LORD GLENARTHUR HAVE MET WITH CONSERVATIVES ABROAD. IF THE SECRETARY OF STATE WISHES TO DO SO ON THIS OCCASION, THIS COULD BE SLOTTED IN FOR LATE MORNING ON 4 JULY?

3. CAN WE NOW PROCEED ON THE BASIS OF THE PROGRAMME IN MY TELNO 1978,

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