Tel. 584 6057
9th February 1989.
A.R. Paul, Esq.
Hong Kong Department,
Foreign & Commonwealth Office,
London SW1A 2AH.
Dear
Mr
Paul,
нкр
301/21
103
HUGH DICKINSON,
-47- QUEENS gate gardens,
LONDON, SW7. SLY
ARD
103
HKD 301 Lod+ pl. trace Luv. May be last year. N
13/2
Thank you for your letter of the 6th instant. It seems that representatives of the Burma Star Association are challenging in the High Court today before Judge Pearson the right of Sir Geoffrey Howe and the Prime Minister to advise the Queen to send Prince Philip to the funeral of Emperor Hirohito who was still regarded as an
enemy of Great Britain after the atrocities committed by the Japanese in Singapore, Java, and Burma which were in 1942 to 1945 British Possessions or Protectorates defended by the Armed Services.
On condition this is not shown to Her Majesty the Queen or Prince Philip, I enclose a newspaper photograph of the American style businessmen he may be required to met the day after the funeral.
I get the impression from reporting of the Court Case that Prince Philip personally is not keen to go to Tokyo on the 24th February but this has been dictated by the Queen's advisers. Obviously the Prime Minister does not wish to offend a country with the strongest economy after the USA and that presumably is the
the governing reason and which overrules objections. by members of the Burma Star Association.
Perhaps another factor is that in the next war, heaven forbid, members of the armed services will not be prepared to lay down their lives except in defence of Britain. The days of going abroad and fighting as mercanaries finished with protecting the British Empire in 1943. The Americans as the International Policeman may think otherwise whilst they perceive a threat from the communists.
After that digression you can return to your desk to think whether crime syndicates in Hongkong which thrive on capitalism will come to
the colony is handed over to the Chinese in 1997. Perhaps the answer to that is that the Americans by 1997 will have introduced capitalism to China to allow full integration of both systems. The alternative is to allow the Triads to move in on
Gerard Street, Soho in the lucrative business of drugs. Geoffrey Howe will still be able to enjoy a Chinese meal at his favorite restaurant, but he will have to be ready to move away fast at the first sign of arrival of the new bosses staking out the territory.
N
13/2
Mc Forman!!
I don't think
Your
a reply is called for.
ра
pa With
일
Simcenly Hugh Dickinin
་ ིན་
29
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