TNAG-2664-FCO40-3860-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Consulate-General-1992 — Page 45

CONFIDENTIAL

MANAGEMENT IN CONFIDENCE

Options

12. On the question of the Consulate-General, Mr Day has set himself against the considered judgement of all

concerned in London, including the British Council and OED's

professional advisers. Unless he can be induced to climb down quickly, there will be delay, and quite possibly cost increases. We have the following options:

(i)

overrule Mr Day and proceed in the face of his objections. The disadvantage is that we will need his active cooperation to make the project work: and if he continued to broadcast his dissatisfaction in Hong Kong, it could generate embarrassment or worse for

HMG;

(ii)

bring him back for a further discussion of his concerns with the aim of bringing him on board. effective, this would probably need to be accompanied by a quiet word from the PUS, making clear to him the need for cooperation and a positive attitude;

To be

(iii) leave the problem for discussion during the Secretary

of State's visit to Hong Kong in late July. This is the approach hinted at in para 15 of Mr Day's letter. But the Secretary of State will not have time to become involved in resolving this issue, and it in any

case imposes a further delay.

(iv)

Theoretically, an ultimate option would be to withdraw

Mr Day. But this would clearly only be for

consideration if cooperation with him had

irretrievably broken down.

BE3ABR/5

CONFIDENTIAL

MANAGEMENT IN CONFIDENCE

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