TNAG-1891-FCO40-2684-Visits-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe-and-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretaries-1989 — Page 14

RESTRICTED

[HONG KONG VISIT : BRIEFING ARRANGEMENTS]

1.

I can make 11.30 on Thursday, 29 June for a briefing for journalists. Mr Gillmore and Mr Colvin will be occupied with the visiting Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister at the time and would not be able to attend. I will have to join in the same talks in the afternoon.

2.

I had understood from your minute of 22 June to the Private Secretary that the purpose of the briefing would be to give some factual background to journalists going on the visit who do not follow Hong Kong matters closely. That would apply, eg, to most of those listed in FCO Telno 1340, but not, I think, to many of the serious journalists to whom you propose to send your letter of invitation. We could give briefing on the Joint Declaration and on Vietnamese boat people, but I have no doubt that virtually all the questions would be on the Hong Kong nationality issue or democracy. It will be virtually impossible to say anything at all forthcoming on the former, since Ministers will be meeting to decide what to do only that morning.

3. I suggest we have a further word about the proposed briefing and its purpose before going firm on the arrangements.

26 June 1989

Cc:

Mr Gillmore Mr

Mr Paul, HKD

Mr Colvin, SEAD

Mr Whitehead, News Dept

RESTRICTED

RJT McLaren