CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 32
OF 091230Z JANUARY 92
CONFIDENTIAL
HKA 182/3
35 J
TOU GOPY
Q DIST?
165313
MDHOAN 7582
4
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM RICKETTS HKD
HONG KONG AIRPORT PROJECT
1.
НКВ 182/3
156
IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR COUR TELNO 2058) WE SOUGHT YOUR COMMENTS ON CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THIS PROJECT SO THAT WE COULD
BRIEF THE SECRETARY OF STATE. THE SECRETARY OF STATE ASKED US
AT THAT TIME TO LET HIM KNOW HOW THINGS WERE GETTING ON AFTER CHRISTMAS. I SHOULD NOW LIKE TO PUT THIS IN TRAIN.
2.
I WELL REALISE THE COMMERCIAL SENSITIVITIES. BUT FOLLOWING THE ARTICLES IN THE PRESS (EG SCMP 3 JANUARY) I OUGHT TO SAY SOMETHING TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE ABOUT WHERE THE PROCESS OF ASSESSING THE BIDS STANDS, AND WHETHER IT LOOKS LIKELY THAT YOUR REQUIREMENTS CAN BE SATISFACTORILY MET AT THE COST FOR WHICH YOU HAVE BUDGETED. IS THERE ANYTHING WHICH I CAN PASS ON TO MINISTERS ON THIS, IF NECESSARY ON A TIGHTLY-RESTRICTED BASIS? AS YOU KNOW, OUR MAIN AIM IN THIS IS TO AVOID NASTY SURPRISES.
3. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE WHAT SUBJECTS ARE LIKELY TO BE RAISED AT THIS MONTH'S MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE AND WHETHER YOU ANTICIPATE CONTROVERSY WITH THE CHINESE OVER ANY OF THEM. IT WOULD BE USEFUL TO KNOW WHETHER THE COMMITTEE WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE TENDERS, OR THE FINANCING PROPOSALS, AND WHETHER THEY WILL BE BROUGHT UP-TO-DATE ON THE AIRPORT RAILWAY. I APOLOGISE FOR
POSING SO MANY QUESTIONS ON WHAT I KNOW IS A DELICATE AREA. BUT GIVEN THE STAKES I THINK THE SECRETARY OF STATE WILL WANT TO HAVE A FEEL FOR HOW THE PROCESS IS GOING. GIVEN THAT YOU WILL ONLY HAVE A SHORT TIME WITH HIM,
ON 21 JANUARY, IT MAY IN ANY CASE BE
BETTER TO DEAL WITH THE AIRPORT ISSUE MAINLY THROUGH WRITTEN BRIEFING.
HURD
PAGE 1 CONFIDENTIAL
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