TNAG-2472-FCO40-3599-Confidential-talks-between-the-UK-and-China-regarding-financ-1992 — Page 137

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UK/HONG KONG RELATIONS

12/

MMB 101/2

FROM: R A Burns

DATE: 13 March 1992

CC: Mr Ricketts, HKD

Angus

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1. You have asked for a speaking note to go with Hong Kong telno 761. I have sent you an immediate comment about the Governor's particular complaint. It is not at all unusual to find the Governor suddenly becoming het up about telegrams from London. Once again, the sensible response is to try to cool him down and reassure him that we are still firmly backing and defending him against his critics.

2. The scene in London has moved on from the days when he was sitting at this desk. Tiananmen Square and the Airport saga have made life more difficult, and required us to engage in a much more questioning dialogue with Hong Kong. It is, as you know, my view that the new Governor's peace of mind would be greatly served by having a UK-based Assistant with whom we could conduct this kind of dialogue. It is quite wrong that the Governor should be required to enter into this blow by blow correspondence with us. It simply compounds his sense of isolation, of being Horatio on the bridge. But until we put a UK-based officer into Government House, we have no option. We cannot confidently give the other senior members of the Hong Kong Government the kind of insight into political attitudes here in London which we must share with the Governor. I have no problem with him talking to less senior colleagues or showing them a pretty frank correspondence, providing that he knows what we are saying, and they know that he expects their total discretion.

3. I attach two draft telegrams to Hong Kong which I think it worth sending in advance of your visit. They flow naturally

not filed from another telegram, no.778 to me, and will provide a much

better basis for a discussion between you and the Governor in Hong Kong, than if you have to carry with you this explanation of why, willy-nilly, we have to take a more intrusive interest in what is going on in Hong Kong than he would like.

4. Maybe the next Minister of State will be less activist and more disposed to relying upon the advice from his officials and the advice from the Governor. A political appointment may help. But on the whole I doubt it.

EM5ABF

شک کا دیا تھا۔

R A Burns

SECRET & PERSONAL

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