TNAG-2179-FCO40-3116-Hong-Kong-nationality-international-support-1990 — Page 109

CONFIDENTIAL

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FROM: A R Paul

Hong Kong Department

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY DATE: 8 March 1990

27 MAR 1990

DESK OFFICER REGISTRY PS/Mr Waldegrave

INDEX

PA

103

Mr McLaren

Action Takanı

Mr Dales, SAFD

Approach

PS/MI Maude Not peaded & depend

pullinger, wh. it need not be.

HONG KONG/SOUTH AFRICA

Problem

1.

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173

Mr Maude asked whether it would be worth including the South

African Government in our efforts to secure international assurances

for Hong Kong.

Recommendation

2. I recommend that we take no action with Pretoria, at least for

the time being. SAFD agree.

Background

3. SAFD's advice is that the South Africans might well be willing

to cooperate. They would welcome the opportunity to get involved in

an international exercise of this kind. There would also be

attractions from the point of view of promoting Hong Kong investment

in South Africa.

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4. On the other hand, an approach by us at this time could be

counterproductive, given that South Africa remains a pariah state in

the eyes of some countries. It could conceivably make other less

sympathetic and responsive to our efforts to generate support for

Hong Kong.

BODABO

CONFIDENTIAL