TNAG-2351-FCO40-3421-Visits-by-Lord-Caithness--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-and--1991 — Page 71

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LETTER FROM KEVIN SINCLAIR

From: David Crystal

News Department

Date: 13 February 1991

cc: Mr Burns

Mr Paul, HKD

Problem

1. How to respond to a letter from Kevin Sinclair, a

freelance journalist based in Hong Kong complaining that

Lord Caithness did not hold a press conference or brief Hong Kong journalists.

Recommendation

2. I recommend that Lord Caithness send a reply to

Mr Sinclair along the lines of the attached draft.

Background

3.

At the end of his recent visit to Hong Kong Lord

Caithness gave briefings to separate groups of UK and local journalists instead of a large press conference which some,

including Mr Sinclair, had come to regard as customary.

4.

Mr Sinclair has already complained in similar terms to

the British Trade Commission and had a suitable reply from

Mr Osborne (copies of correspondence attached).

Mr Sinclair clearly has preconceived ideas and judging from the attached article is of a fairly unpleasant

5.

disposition.

Daviel Engelut

David Crystal

News Department

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