R17/1
Miss Marsden
Misa Majur
1/12
ROBERT ADLEY, M.P.
HOUSE OF COMMONS
LONDON SWIA OAA
27th November 1989
Dr. D. Dagl
Yad 3
سامنا بات انا بابا
54.5
The Scarton of State will est in to this.
30 12/1
#кві
Thinking about our chat last week, for which I have already tharked you, it was clear on reflection that the speech by Mr Wigham to which I made reference was not one with which you are wholly familiar!
What occurred was that although speaking at a private dinner in Hong Kong, the contents of his speech were reported, obviously as a senior member of the Hong Kong government. Shortly there- after his remarks seem to have been endorsed by Francis Maude, I have who had only recently taken up office at the FCO. been assured beyond peradventure by Alan Donald and Alyson Bailes that the speech caused them considerable embarrassment in Beijing;
that it was not seen and approved by them, nor by David Wilson, ncr by the FCO in London.
It
Nevertheless, the Chinese Government leaders deduced that it represented an official statement of policy by HMG. could be said either that they are using the speech as an excuse, or that they do believe it is the policy of HMG. In either case, it seems to me an important matter which is a source of aggravation and misunderstanding in our current cool relations with the Chinese Government.
This is certainly one matter which I think could well be clarified and I wonder whether Mr Wigham cculd be invited to take up а new post stacking plastic sacks in the New Territories:
I think this would be a good signal to send to Beijing!
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PS Maybe it is better if you don't reply to this letter
as it will obviate the necessity of your having to explain/ apologise/accept responsibility for the speech.
Rt Hon Douglas Hurd MP
Secretary of State
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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