TNAG-2627-FCO40-3818-Classified-communication-facilities-in-Hong-Kong-1992 — Page 40

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telegram traffic passes through the Government House COMCEN.

We have had one very recent example where the COMCEN distributed a telegram addressed to UKRep JLG widely to the

Hong Kong Government, to our considerable embarrassment. So

the Chinese walls are not foolproof. For the same reason,

the use of the existing Cryptek at Government House is not the right answer for BTC. Sharing the facility with JLG poses practical problems given that they are housed in different buildings: and as I understand it confidential faxes for UKRep JLG are still routed to GH COMCEN when UKRep

are closed.

3. As SBTC takes on additional responsibilities under the five year expansion programme, his need for exclusive,

personal confidential fax facilites will increase. The

equipment is expensive, but we believe it is a worthwhile investment in the context of the BTC's expanding responsibilities. It could obviously be inherited by the new Consulate-General when the new building is ready during

1996.

Realists

PF Ricketts

JM3ABC/2

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