TNAG-2598-FCO40-3786-Appointment-of-Chris-Patten-as-new-Governor-of-Hong-Kong--Ap-1992 — Page 97

MOHIAN 5009

FROM WHATEVER SOURCES OF INFORMATION ARE AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT IT WAS IN OUR INTERESTS TO ASSIST THE VATICAN TO BE AS DIRECTLY INFORMED ABOUT THE POSITION OF THE CHURCH AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT ITS DIPLOMACY CAN BE REALISTIC (SEMI- COLON) IN THE LONGER TERM, THERE SEEMS GOOD REASON TO ENCOURAGE THE VATICAN TO ESTABLISH A PROPER RELATIONSHIP WITH PEKING RATHER THAN CONTINUING THE PRESENT UNSATISFACTORY ARRANGEMENT. I HOPE THEREFORE THAT, SUBJECT TO SODANO'S NEXT MOVE, WE CAN BE SOMEWHAT MORE FORTHCOMING.

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