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134645 MDLAN 14613
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WAS
THAT THE UK WELCOMED CHINA'S ASSURANCE OF CONTINUITY OF THE PLANNING TEAM FOR THE MEETINGS THROUGH JULY 1 1997. SECOND, THAT FOR HONG KONG, THE QUESTION OF FOLLOWING THE BERLIN MODEL IN WHICH THE HOST CITY PLAYED A PROMINENT ROLE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE QUESTION OF WHO ISSUES THE INVITATIONS. IF A SATISFACTORY UNDERSTANDING COULD BE REACHED ON FOLLOWING THE BERLIN MODEL, OR A VARIATION OF IT, THE UK COULD CONSIDER THE CHINESE SUGGESTION THAT THE FORMAL INVITATION BE MADE BY THE CHINESE, WITH A SUPPORTING LETTER FROM THE UK AND HONG KONG. THIRD, WHILE IT WAS NOT YET POSSIBLE TO ESTIMATE THE FULL COST OF THE MEETINGS. WICKS ASKED
THE CHINESE SIDE TO NOTE THAT THE BULK OF THE EXPENDITURE WOULD OF NECESSITY BE INCURRED AFTER 30 JUNE 1997, AND WOULD THEREFORE FALL TO BE MET BY THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION
GOVERNMENT. HE SAID THAT HE WAS SURE THAT THE PRACTICAL
ISSUES COULD BE RESOLVED AS THERE WAS CLEAR GOODWILL ON ALL
SIDES. DISCUSSIONS COULD NOW PROCEED.
5.
XIANG SAID THAT HE NOTED WICKS' THREE SPECIFIC POINTS. HE HOPED THAT IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO ESTABLISH A ''HONG KONG'' MODEL, LEARNING LESSONS FROM EXPERIENCE BOTH IN BERLIN AND AT OTHER ANNUAL MEETINGS. HE ALSO NOTED HE WOULD NEED TO CONSULT HIS MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. HE ACCEPTED WICKS SUGGESTION THAT SHOULD THERE BE ANY SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES OVER AGREEING THE DETAILS OF THE PROCEDURES FOR THE MEETINGS, THEN A FURTHER DISCUSSION BETWEEN XIANG AND WICKS COULD BE ARRANGED.
COMMENT
I WILL NOW WAIT FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE CHINESE OFFICE HERE. THEY APPEAR VERY READY TO TRY TO FIND ARRANGEMENTS
ACCEPTABLE TO BOTH SIDES.
6.
PERETZ
YYYY
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