SECRET
017055
MDHOAN 0415
SECRET
FM FCO
TO DESKBY 250030Z HONG KONG
TELNO 568
OF 242009Z MARCH 91
AND TO DESKBY 250030Z PEKING, UKREP, JLG HONG KONG
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM BURNS, AUS
PEKING: PERSONAL FOR AMBASSADORE
UKREP JLG HONG KONG: PERSONAL FOR GALSWORTHY
MIPT: PADS: MEETING WITH LU PING
REPRESENTATIONS WHICH SIR A DONALD
1. FOLLOWING IS DRAFT TEXT OF
MIGHT MAKE ON INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CHINESE:
MINISTERS HAVE BEEN FULLY BRIEFED ON THE OUTCOME OF LU PING'S TALKS WITH THE GOVERNOR ON 23 MARCH. THEY ARE
SERIOUSLY CONCERNED THAT SO LITTLE PROGRESS IS BEING MADE.
TIME IS NOW VERY SHORT BEFORE THE FOREIGN SECRETARY'S VISIT
TO PEKING. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THIS EVENT, WHICH WILL BE THE HIGHEST LEVEL VISIT BETWEEN OUR TWO COUNTRIES FOR SOME YEARS, IS A SUCCESS.
FAILURE TO AGREE BEFOREHAND ON THE AIRPORT PROJECT WILL SERIOUSLY DETRACT FROM THE SUCCESS OF THE VISIT, WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR RELATIONS MORE GENERALLY.
WE ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE AIRPORT PROJECT GOING AHEAD: IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG, CHINA AND BRITAIN THAT IT SHOULD DO SO. BUT THERE ARE REAL CONSTRAINTS ON WHAT. WE ARE ABLE TO AGREE IN ORDER TO SEE THIS HAPPEN.
- IF THE CHINESE SIDE CONTINUES TO INSIST ON CONDITIONS WHICH ARE IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO MEET THERE CAN BE NO AGREEMENT. WE HAVE HOWEVER PUT FORWARD A CLEAR AND CONSTRUCTIVE PROPOSAL TO WHICH WE HAVE RECEIVED NO CLEAR ANSWER. WE VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THE CHINESE WILL CONSIDER IT CAREFULLY AND REVERT TO US QUICKLY.
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY WILL NOT WISH TO ENGAGE IN DETAILED NEGOTIATIONS ON THE AIRPORT PROJECT DURING HIS VISIT. THIS IS
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