TNAG-2294-FCO40-3308-Visit-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1991 — Page 8

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CONFIDENTIAL

From: RA Burns

Date:

Cc:

7 March 1991

1HKC026/2

* MAR 1991'

Private Secretary

Mr McLaren

Special Advisers

Mr Davies, FED

Miss Marsden, HKD

Mr Cornish, News Department

Mr Bates, PRU

By Fax

Sir A Donald, PEKING

Sir D Wilson, HONG KONG

Mr Galsworthy, JLG HONG KONG Mr Heap, BTC HONG KONG

PS/Lord Caithness

Private Secretary

CHINA AND HONG KONG : PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF A VISIT BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE

Problem

1.

At his meeting on 20 February, the Secretary of State asked me to consider how to construct a campaign to educate opinion and the media in this country about the value of a visit to Peking in April.

Recommendations

2.

I recommend that we try for an early announcement and that, in presenting the visit, we do not duck the issues of human rights, Tibet, and Chinese threats to Hong Kong. A comprehensive approach is needed, responding to the issues of concern but making the case for a "leap forward". I also recommend:

(a)

intensive lobbying of the media by Ministers and officials in London, Hong Kong and Peking;

(b)

(c)

particular lobbying of key media figures by the Secretary of State;

parallel oral briefings for Members of Parliament.

We will submit some bullpoints separately.

CONFIDENTIAL