TNAG-2231-FCO40-3203-Visits-by-David-Wilson--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-the-UK-and-1991 — Page 177

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE CANBERRA

TELNO 12

OF 29120OZ APRIL 91

AND TO IMMEDIATE WELLINGTON

INFO IMMEDIATE FCO, JAKARTA

CONFIDENTIAL

154007 MDHIAN 431156

(Mi302711

TOP COPY Q DIST?

PERSONAL FOR HIGH COMMISSIONER FROM GOVERNOR

WELLINGTON PERSONAL FOR HIGH COMMISSIONER

FCO PERSONAL FOR BURNS, AUSS

JAKARTA PERSONAL FOR PS/LORD CAITHNESS (VISITING)

MY VISIT TO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND 8-18 MAY

1. I REGRET THAT THERE NOW SEEMS A VERY REAL CHANCE THAT I WILL HAVE TO CANCEL, OR AT LEAST POSTPONE, MY PROPOSED VISIT TO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. THE REASON IS THAT WE MAY WELL RESUME TALKS WITH THE CHINESE OVER THE NEW AIRPORT DURING THIS PERIOD. IF SO, IT WILL BE ESSENTIAL THAT I SHOULD BE IN HONG KONG WHEN THESE TAKE PLACE SO THAT I CAN KEEP IN VERY CLOSE TOUCH WITH THE NEGOTIATING TEAM AND OUR EXPERTS HERE.

2. IT IS NOT YET CLEAR WHETHER I WILL HAVE TO CANCEL THE VISIT, NOR WHEN I WILL BE IN A POSITION TO CONFIRM WHAT I AM DOING. I WILL OF COURSE TRY TO GIVE YOU AS MUCH NOTICE AS POSSIBLE. I REALISE HOW MUCH WORK BOTH MISSIONS HAVE BOTH DONE IN MAKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE VISIT AND AM SORRY THAT I MAY PUT YOU TO SUCH INCONVENIENCE. IF I HAVE TO STAY HERE, I HOPE IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO REINSTATE THE VISITS, PERHAPS LATER THIS YEAR.

3. SUBJECT TO YOUR VIEWS, IT IS PROBABLY BETTER NOT TO CAUSE CONFUSION BY SAYING ANYTHING TO THE AUSTRALIANS/NEW ZEALANDERS AT THIS STAGE. I SHOULD BE CLEARER, AT LEAST ON WHETHER TO GIVE A WARNING SIGNAL, WITHIN THE NEXT 2-3 DAYS.

WILSON

YYYY

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