TNAG-2598-FCO40-3786-Appointment-of-Chris-Patten-as-new-Governor-of-Hong-Kong--Ap-1992 — Page 94

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FM HONG KONG)

TELNO 834 OF 0912*** INFO

THAT THE INTERESTS OF HMG OR OF THE HKG ARGUE IN FAVOUR OF OUR NE AGREEING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW VATICAN OFFICE WHICH COULD CAUSE US UNNECESSARY TROUBLE, PARTICULARLY IF THE COURSE OF NEGOTIATION BETWEEN THE VATICAN AND PEKING IS NOT AS SMOOTH AS THE FORMER EXPECT. WE SHOULD DO MUCH BETTER TO WAIT UNTIL THERE IS CLEAR EVIDENCE OF PROGRESS ON THAT FRONT AND IN PARTICULAR THAT THE VATICAN ARE READY TO SHIFT THEIR RECOGNITION FROM TAIWAN TO PEKING.

5. IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES I THINK THAT THE COMPROMISE THAT WE ARE SUGGESTING IS NOT AT ALL UNHELPFUL. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT WE COULD NOT GRANT PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES TO A VATICAN REPRESENTATIVE UNDER CURRENT LEGISLATION ANY REPRESENTATION WOULD THEREFORE BE OF A SECOND-CLASS NATURE. BUT I SEE NO REASON WHY ATTACHMENT OF A REPRESENTATIVE TO CARDINAL WU'S OFFICE SHOULD PREVENT THE PERSON IN QUESTION FROM CARRYING OUT HIS FUNCTIONS, PARTICULARLY IF THESE ARE PURELY ECCLESIASTICAL.

WILSON

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