TNAG-2033-FCO40-2896-Visit-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1990 — Page 22

HKB 026/3

RECEIVED 15 91TRY

Miss Mar 12 NOV 1990

JEFICEN

Ms Maj Mr Misrning of Mr Stone 5/11

जप

Ms Sauvigne 6/1

I suggest

Mr Walker

CONFIDENTIAL

REGISTRY

Acrem Talion

From:

R A Burns

Date:

31 October 1990

Cc:

Mr McLaren o/r Mr Hervey

Mr Davies, FED

Mr Paul, HKD

Mr Williams, SAD

a short discuss Mr Colvin, SEAD

at a morning mtg. (Next

Monday?)

Far Eastern Section

RAD

(minute

りぃ

out

1291

ROYAL SOCIETY FOR ASIAN AFFAIRS

1.

I attach a copy of a letter from Sir Michael Wilford, Chairman of the Council of the Royal Society, inviting the Secretary of State to speak at their 90th Anniversary Dinner next February.

I should be most

2. We spoke about this on the telephone. grateful for any background you or your colleagues could provide on the Society, its membership, its works, and, in general, its value as a speaking platform on this occasion which, as you can see, might involve The Prince of Wales.

3. I imagine that the test of this occasion will in practice be whether we think this is a good moment for the Secretary of State to speak about Asian affairs. Coming six weeks before a possible visit to Hong Kong and Peking, such an occasion might provide us with a useful opportunity to place on record thoughts about China, China/Hong Kong, Western Pacific Rim, or South-East Asia (Cambodia etc). Alternatively, coming just after a visit to India, it might provide the Secretary of State with a useful opportunity to discuss British policy towards the Subcontinent. I should welcome any thoughts from the geographical Departments.

Полиби

RA Burns

A10AAT

CONFIDENTIAL