TNAG-1896-FCO40-2690-Calls-on-Francis-Maude--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1989 — Page 135

c 5.

According to the Deputy Political Adviser who met Mr Reece on

4 August, the first impression he makes is of having only a very tenuous grasp of political realities. According to a recent article

D in the South China Morning Post, Mr Reece claims that the Foundation

already has 200 members and has raised HK$1 million in financial

support. But the group has yet to set itself up in an office and

may prove to be no more long-lived than its precursor.

6. It is clear from Hong Kong's assessment that Mr Reece is not of

sufficient standing in the Hong Kong community or a sufficiently

worthwhile interlocutor to merit a call on Mr Maude.

Hong Kong have

suggested that it might be helpful if Mr McLaren could see Mr Reece

in order to seek to channel his enthusiasm into a more productive

direction. But Mr McLaren is leaving for Washington on the

afternoon of 6 September and could not easily spare time to see

Mr Reece. I therefore recommend that we offer Mr Reece a call on

Hong Kong Department

Coraline Hard

Miss R Marsden

recommendation.

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