TNAG-2090-FCO40-2975-Diplomatic-representation-of-third-countries-in-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 237

CONFIDENTIAL

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CONFIDENTIA

DFA209

RR RBDWDFA

HH

DE RBDWC 6165 2081539

ZNY CCCCC

R 271445Z JUL 90

FM MODUK

TO RBDWDFG/PRODROME SEOUL

INFO ZEN/HQBF HONG KONG

RBDWDFA/FCO LONDON

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010040

MDLIAN 9133

Some

defence

hee

HKB 400/

RECEIVED IN RE

RY

O 1 AUG 1990

pn

FOR DA. HQBF FOR CIVIL ADVISER. FCO FOR NPDD, HKD AND FED. FROM LESTER SECCO)(C)

SUBJECT:CROK CARMY) LIAISON OFFICE IN HONG KONG.

1. FURTHER TO YOUR 190755Z JUL 90, WE ARE RESPONDING TO THE KOREAN DA IN LONDONS SIMILAR REQUEST ALONG THE FOLLOWING

LINES:

- THE KOREANS WILL DOUBTLESS BE AWARE OF THE POLITICAL SENSITIVITIES

IN HONG KONG.

- AS WE SAID IN APRIL (TO THEIR DA IN LONDON), BOTH MOD AND FCO SEE PRACTICAL AND POLITICAL DIFFICULTIES IN SETTING UP SUCH AN OFFICE (REGARDLESS OF ITS FORMAL TITLE), AND WE BELIEVE THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT FAVOUR THE IDEA.

FAR MORE US SERVICEMEN THAN KOREANS (WHETHER SERVICEMEN OR CIVILIANS) PASS THROUGH HONG KONG, AND WE FRANKLY DONT SEE A ROLE FOR A KOREAN LIAISON OFFICE.

3. YOU MIGHT WISH TO DRAW ON THESE IN RESPONDING TO THE KOREAN DIAS APPROACHES. YOU SHOULD CONVEY THE GENERAL MESSAGE THAT THERE IS

UNLIKELY TO BE ANY FUTURE IN THEIR PROPOSAL.

4. ON YOUR PARA 4, OUR ATTITUDE IS BETTER THE DEVIL THE PRC DOES NOT KNOW EXCLAM.

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