TNAG-2260-FCO40-3256-Hong-Kong-Port-and-Airport-Development-Strategy-(PADS)-pres-1991 — Page 121

سوم

ཨཱམྦྷསྶ;

SECRET

SECRET

FM HONG KONG

TO DESKBY 25100OZ F C O

TELNO 1662

OF 250816Z MAY 91

AND TO IMMEDIATE PEKING

INFO IMMEDIATE UKREP JLG HONG KONG

HKB 182 12.

34

064011

MDHIAN 8346

TOP COPY Q DIST?

RESIDENT CLERK PLEASE PASS IMMEDIATELY TO PAUL, HKD

MIPT:

1

"

PRESS BRIEFING

IN BACKGROUND BRIEFING, WE PROPOSE TO REBUT THE CHINESE MISREPRESENTATION OF OUR POSITION ON THE FOLLOWING LIENS:

(A)

1

(B)

1

1

CONCESSIONS. BRITISH SIDE HAVE MADE MANY MOVES TO MEET IDENTIFIED CHINESE CONCERNS. EXAMPLES:

PREPARED TO PLAN FINANCES SO THAT AT LEAST HK DOLLARS 25 BILLION WILL BE LEFT IN THE FISCAL RESERVES IN 1997

·

PREPARED TO SET UP A CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE AIRPORT. BOTH SIDES AGREE THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE DECISION-MAKING

POWER.

PREPARED TO APPOINT HONG KONG-BASED INDIVIDUAL NOMINATED BY THE CHINESE SIDE TO THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY.

BUT NEED FOR BALANCE AND CERTAINTY. WE NEED ASSURANCES

THAT:

WE CAN GET ON WITH THE PROJECTS WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY. WOULD BE PREPARED TO CONSULT CHINESE SIDE IF BULK OF ANY PROJECT WERE TO FALL AFTER 1 JULY 1997, OR IF WE WERE TO ADD ANY NEW PROJECTS NOT FORESEEN AT PRESENT.

WE CAN LET AIRPORT FRANCHISES STRADDLING 1997.

WE CAN BORROW WITHIN A PRUDENT LIMIT IF NECESSARY.

WE CAN GUARANTEE BORROWING BY PUBLIC AUTHORITIES SHOULD THIS BE NECESSARY.

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