TNAG-2627-FCO40-3818-Classified-communication-facilities-in-Hong-Kong-1992 — Page 3

Page

CONFIDENTIAL

CABINET OFFICE

70 Whitehall London SW1A 2AS Telephone 071-270 0011

2G/1500/2/1

J C Morris Esq

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Hong Kong Department

Whitehall

London SW1

Dear John

HKD 196/1

1) let me su

fite

30

1 December 1992

пат

2) bu 6 weeks 11ST 3/12 This Barnes Jane's,

Action id.c. on para 3.

- pa.

J1/12

HONG KONG: SECURE TELEPHONE LINK TO PEKING

1.

25

Further to our telecon of 27 November and your letter of 20 November 1992 concerning the subject matter. As I mentioned I have been in discussion with all the various parties involved in installing and commissioning the link. In principle the way forward has been agreed, however, the subject of who is to finance the link is something that will have to be pursued within the FCO/Hong Kong Government.

2.

There would appear to be no problem with the supply of the equipment, the FCO have available an acceptable crypto equipment and the MOD are willing to supply (on a repayment basis) the remaining equipment, although the equipment can be made available within a relatively short timescale, the critical aspect is the availability and installation of the telephone circuit between Hong Kong and Peking. ISD (0) have undertaken the task of investigating the cost and installation timescale of the circuit. TSD will, of course, cover all aspects of the installation of the equipment in Peking.

3.

I understand that it is normal practice for the Hong Kong Government to pay for any facilities required by the Governor, therefore, I have asked both ISD(0) and TSD to forward to you the estimated cost of the installation, I assume that the relevant machinery is in place to recover this from the Hong Kong Government.

4.

As previously mentioned the critical aspect of the installation is the availability of the circuit between Hong Kong and Peking, however, not withstanding this both the MOD and the FCO will endeavour to install the system in the shortest possible timescale. The point of contact in each department, should you have any further queries or just require a progress report, is as follows:

-1- CONFIDENTIAL