TNAG-1890-FCO40-2683-Visits-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe-and-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretaries-1989 — Page 16

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 2140

OF 29101OZ JUNE 89

RESTRICTED

HKB 026/20 TOP COPY

Q DIST ?

78

057013

MDHIAN 1269

SECRETARY OF STATE'S VISIT TO HONG KONG

WE HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL ORAL AND WRITTEN REQUESTS FOR MEETINGS WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE WHILE HE IS IN HONG KONG. THE WRITTEN

REQUESTS HAVE COME FROM:-

(A)

HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR DEMOCRACY AND PEOPLE'S

LIVELIHOOD:

(B)

AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:

(C)

SEVERAL CIVIL SERVICE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS

(D)

CHRISTINE LOH'S GROUP (MOSTLY YOUNG PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE ALSO MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG OBSERVERS AND ''1997 CONCERNS'').

2-

IN RESPONSE TO SUCH REQUESTS WE ARE TAKING THE GENERAL LINE

THAT: (QUOTE) THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS A VERY BUSY PROGRAMME WHICH WILL ENABLE HIM TO HEAR A WIDE RANGE OF VIEWS FROM THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY, INCLUDING GROUPS SUCH AS YOUR, DURING HIS VISIT. TIME WILL NOT PERMIT HIM TO HAVE SEPARATE MEETINGS WITH ALL SUCH GROUPS BUT HE HOPES THAT THERE MAY BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH SOME OF YOU IN THE COURSE OF HIS VISIT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SET OUT YOUR CONCERNS IN A LETTER TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE WE WILL ENSURE THAT IT IS BROUGHT TO HIS ATTENDTION DURING THE VISIT. (UNQUOTE)

WILSON

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