CONFIDENTIAL
FM PEKING
TO DESKBY 05050OZ HONG KONG
TELNO 155
OF 050434Z NOVEMBER 92
INFO DESKBY 05083OZ FCO
CONFIDENTIAL
Mrrady TOP COPY
Q DIST?
jen
022515 MDHIAN 63992
PERSONAL FOR INFORMATION COORDINATOR AND POLITICAL ADVISER FCO PERSONAL FOR RICKETTS, HKD
B&
MY TELNO T55% TO FCO: SUNDAY TIMES ARTICLE
1. I HAVE RECEIVED A FAXED LETTER FROM DANNY GITTINGS (SUNDAY MORNING POST) SAYING THAT HE HAS BEEN ASKED TO WRITE A MAJOR FEATURE FOR THIS SUNDAY ON OPPONENTS OF THE GOVERNOR'S POLITICAL REFORMS (SIC), AND THAT HE HAS BEEN TOLD IN THE LIGHT OF RECENT REPORTS - THAT THIS MUST INCLUDE A SEPARATE ARTICLE ON ME.
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2. GITTINGS SAYS THAT 'OBVIOUSLY THIS IS NOT A PARTICULARLY SATISFACTORY SITUATION' AND ASKS WHETHER I WOULD BE PREPARED TO TALK TO HIM ON THE TELEPHONE FOR A FEW MINUTES LATER THIS WEEK, EITHER ON OR OFF THE RECORD.
3. I WOULD NORMALLY DECLINE SUCH A REQUEST, BUT I AM NOT SURE THIS IS THE RIGHT COURSE IN THE PRESENT INSTANCE. GITTINGS WILL WRITE HIS STORY ANYWAY. IF I DO NOT AGREE TO TALK TO HIM HE WILL RELY ON THE SUNDAY TIMES AND TA KUNG PAO REPORTS, TOGETHER WITH REHASHED NONSENSE ABOUT FOREIGN OFFICE SINOLOGISTS. IF I DO SPEAK TO HIM I WOULD AT LEAST BE ABLE TO PUT ON THE RECORD A ROBUST STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS AND A STRONG DENIAL THAT THE BRITISH SIDE IS IN ANY WAY DIVIDED.
4. I AM THEREFORE INCLINED TO AGREE TO A SHORT TELEPHONE INTERVIEW, WHICH WOULD HAVE TO BE ON THE RECORD TO SERVE THE PURPOSE. BUT I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY ADVICE AND GUIDANCE YOU CAN GIVE.
MCLAREN
YYYY
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