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HKB 182 /3
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142332
MDHIAN 9918
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FM BTC HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 22O9OOZ DTI
TELNO OTTER 31
OF 220732Z JANUARY 91
INFO ROUTINE FCO
FCO FOR PAUL HKD
ন
FOR RODGERS, PEP AND LOVE OT2
FROM ADAMS, PEP
HONG KONG AIRPORT
TOP COPY Q DIST?
Pa
1. I SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING FOR INSERTION IN THE SECRETARY OF
STATE'S REPORT:
BEGINS
1. HONG KONG IS CURRENTLY EMBARKING ON A PROGRAMME OF MAJOR PROJECTS IN THE PERIOD UP TO 1997. THE BIGGEST IS THE NEW AIRPORT VENTURE AT CHEP LAP KOK, THE SITE OF WHICH I VISITED. I MADE CLEAR TO THE GOVERNOR THAT WE WERE A LITTLE CONCERNED AT THE EXTENT OF AWARDS TO AMERICAN CONSULTANTS (BECHTEL AND MORGAN STANLEY) AND HOPED THAT THIS WOULD NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT BRITISH CHANCES FOR THE MAIN CONTRACTS. I ALSO STRESSED OUR KEENNESS TO WIN AND TO SEE OUR FIRMS COMPETITIVE, PARTICULARLY FOR THE MAIN BRIDGE.
2. SIR DAVID WILSON SAID THAT THE CHINESE WERE PROVING VERY
DIFFICULT OVER THE AIRPORT. THEY HAD ASKED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO STOP FURTHER WORK ON IT AND WERE CRITICISING THE SCALE AND COST. THERE WAS AN OBSESSIVE FEAR THAT BRITAIN WOULD SOMEHOW EXHAUST HONG KONG'S RESERVES PRIOR TO 1997, CAPTURING AS MUCH BUSINESS AS POSSIBLE FOR BRITISH COMPANIES MEANWHILE. I AGREED WITH HIM THAT WE SHOULD SEE WHETHER HIS CURRENT VISIT TO PEKING MADE PROGRESS. IF NOT, THIS COULD BECOME A MAJOR ISSUE OF CONFIDENCE FOR HONG KONG.
3. I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO SHOW CLEAR GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR BRITISH COMPANIES BIDDING FOR THE AIRPORT. FURTHER MINISTERIAL VISITS TO HONG KONG AND A SATISFACTORY OUTCOME TO CURRENT DISCUSSIONS ON ECGD COVER WILL BE IMPORTANT IN THIS
RESPECT.
HEAP
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