TNAG-2048-FCO40-2918-Visits-by-members-of-the-Office-of-the-Members-of-the-Execut-1990 — Page 39

CONFIDENTIAL

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[HONG KONG : REQUEST FOR A CALL BY MR MARTIN LEE]

1.

I agree with this advice. Mr Lee is a waspish and influential critic in Hong Kong on British/Hong Kong Government policies, but he is a man of personal charm and will understand that Lord Caithness comes too fresh to the subject to do more than listen at this stage.

2.

There are risks either way. If Lord Caithness does not see Mr Lee on 3 September, there is a possibility that Mr Lee will claim that he has been snubbed and there would of course be an extra requirement to see him privately in Hong Kong, where it might be less easy to get involved in arguments of substance and where there is more risk of Mr Lee making some political capital out of the meeting. On the other hand, if Lord Caithness does see Mr Lee in London, there must be a slight risk of some subsequent disobliging remarks from Mr Lee. On balance, I believe that this is most unlikely and that it would be sensible, as Miss Marsden recommends, for a meeting to take place on 3 September.

3.

I have discussed this with Mr McLaren, who also agrees. It would be sensible for either Mr McLaren or Mr Paul each of whom knows Mr Lee well · to sit in with the Minister on this occasion.

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15 August 1990

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