TNAG-2238-FCO40-3217-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Royal-Navy-presence-1991 — Page 139

SECRET

FM HONG KONG

TO DESKBY 07130OZ F C O

TELNO 428

OF 071125Z FEBRUARY 91

SECRET

F

022205

MDHIAN 2799

PERSONAL FOR MCLAREN DUSS FROM GOVERNOR

MY TELNO 386: HONG KONG PATROL CRAFT

1.

THE FS HAS NOW RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TERENCE BRACK OF THE MOD PROPOSING THAT HE SHOULD VISIT LONDON DURING THE NEXT THREE WEEKS FOR DISCUSSIONS ON THE BASIS OF THE PROPOSALS IN SIR MICHAEL QUINLAN'S LETTER TO ME. TEXT OF BRACK'S LETTER IS IN MIFT.

2.

THERE IS NO/NO POSSIBILITY THAT THE FS COULD GO TO LONDON THIS MONTH. HE IS FULLY OCCUPIED WITH THE PREPARATIONS OF HIS BUDGET SPEECH, WHICH WILL BE DELIVERED ON 6 MARCH. IN ANY CASE, THERE SEEMS NO BASIS FOR NEGOTIATIONS, GIVEN THE UNCOMPROMISING LINE TAKEN IN SIR MICHAEL QUINLAN'S LETTER.

I PROPOSE TO DELAY RESPONDING TO EITHER SIR MICHAEL QUINLAN'S LETTER OR BRACK'S LETTER UNTIL WE HEAR THE RESULTS OF

THE DISCUSSION BETWEEN MINISTERS.

3.

WILSON

YYYY

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DISTRIBUTION

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PS/LORD CAITHNESS

MR MCLAREN

MR BURNS

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