TNAG-2452-FCO40-3569-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-1992 — Page 143

CONFIDENTIAL

He asked Mr Goodlad to take charge of coordinating this activity. The Governor thought there would be some effort by the Chinese business community to argue that the Joint Declaration was simply a device to preserve British consciences and that if it was breached, it would not be too problematic. It was important to make clear that Hong Kong would not be as successful without the guarantees in the Joint

Declaration.

15. The Governor added that it would be useful if the Prime Minister could put in a word on Hong Kong issues when he met Governor Clinton. The Secretary of State agreed. The Governor added that the Canadian Foreign Minister had been supportive, and had suggested discussion among the G7 Foreign Ministers. The Secretary of State commented that the Chinese

would hate such internationalisation. But this was a key card

for us which we should be willing to use.

16. In conclusion, there was a very brief discussion of

HMOCS. The Governor indicated his willingness to consider offering HMOCS officers a right to retirement. But this should be bargained against an adequate level of sterling safeguard.

When

PF Ricketts

sofshk.GEN.kr

CONFIDENTIAL