TNAG-2277-FCO40-3276-Hong-Kong-and-the-media-1991 — Page 96

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CONFIDENTIAL

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PS/Lord Caithness

From :

Date :

9 October 1991

CC:

Sir J coles

Mr Burns

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Mr Cornish, News Dept

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Mr Bickham, Special Advisers Mr Ricketts, Hong Kong Dept

Private Secretary

HONG KONG: COVERAGE IN THE BRITISH MEDIA

1. The Secretary of State asked Lord Caithness to assess what might be done to reduce the discrepancy between the attitude of the British Press and Press in Hong Kong (your minute of 30 September). Lord Caithness has discussed with officials the ideas in Mr Ricketts' submission of 2 October (below). agrees that these ideas are worth pursuing.

2.

He

It transpires that although Mr Yaxley was unaware of it, his staff do send extracts from the Hong Kong Press to British newspapers. However, a more high profile and carefully targeted operation is clearly required. Lord Caithness now proposes to invite Mr Yaxley to call on him about once a month. Although Mr Yaxley has regular contact with Hong Kong Department the Minister will use his meetings to provide Mr Yaxley with a political input on how Hong Kong issues are playing here and to discuss ways of putting the Hong Kong message across.

3

Lord Caithness agrees with Mr Burns' suggestion that the Governor ought to have a personal Press Secretary. This is an idea that the Minister has floated before now with Sir David. He will do so again during their meetings next week.

int in

Peter Tibber

PS/Lord Caithness

CONFIDENTIAL