SECRET STAFF IN CONFIDENCE
SECRET
STAFF IN CONFIDENCE
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 2233
OF 030145Z SEPTEMBER 92
нка onli
TOP COPY Q DIST?
13
175622
MDHIAN 7611
HKA 011/1 p.a.pls
On 319
PERSONAL FOR RICKETTS, HKD.
FROM GOVERNOR.
YOUR TELNO 510: CBF ON EXCO.
1
AS YOU KNOW, I AM PROPOSING TO USE THE FACT THAT ALL MEMBERS OF EXCO HAVE GIVEN ME THEIR RESIGNATIONS TO MAKE SOME FAIRLY SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL. I PROPOSE TO ANNOUNCE THESE IN MY LEGCO ADDRESS ON 7 OCTOBER, AND WILL SEND YOU MY PROPOSALS FOR NEW MEMBERS SHORTLY.
2. THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE MOMENT TO LOOK AGAIN AT THE ROLE OF THE COMMANDER OF BRITISH FORCES (CBF) ON EXCO. THE CBF HAS PLAYED A VALUABLE ROLE ON THE COUNCIL AND I SHOULD MISS HIS ADVICE. BUT IT IS INCREASINGLY ANOMALOUS FOR A BRITISH GENERAL TO
BE A MEMBER OF THE SENIOR POLICY-MAKING BODY IN THE TERRITORY. IT WILL BE PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT TO SUSTAIN THE CASE FOR HIS MEMBERSHIP AT A TIME WHEN THERE WILL NO LONGER BE ANY LEGCO MEMBERS ON EXCO. MOREOVER, I DO NOT WISH TO GIVE THE CHINESE ANY PRECEDENT FOR IMPOSING A PLA GENERAL ON THE POST-1997 EXCO.
3.
THE MEMBERSHIP CHANGES THAT WILL TAKE PLACE PROVIDE AN IDEAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CBF TO LEAVE EXCO WITHOUT LOSS OF FACE. THE MOVE WILL BE SEEN HERE AS A NECESSARY AND UNDERSTANDABLE DEVELOPMENT.
4.
I HAVE TOLD CBF WHAT I HAVE IN MIND. I HAVE EXPLAINED THAT I SHOULD BE HAPPY FOR HIM TO CONTINUE TO SEE KEY EXCO PAPERS CONFIDENTIALLY AND THAT I WOULD WISH TO INVITE HIM TO ATTEND EXCO MEETINGS OF DIRECT INTEREST TO HIM ON AN (NEXT TWO WORDS UNDERLINED) AD HOC BASIS. I ALSO PLAN TO ENHANCE THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNOR'S SECURITY COMMITTEE ON WHICH THE CBF WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY A KEY ROLE. HE WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN MY WEEKLY MEETINGS WITH SENIOR OFFICIALS.
5. I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR CONFIRMATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THAT THERE IS NO OBJECTION TO MY PROCEEDING IN THIS WAY. IT WILL
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SECRET STAFF IN CONFIDENCE
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