TNAG-2679-FCO40-3876-British-Trade-Commission--Hong-Kong--and-China-Trade-Unit-re-1993 — Page 103

Chief Executive

Professor Julian Hunt FRS

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H/CS (HNR)/14/3

Hr Richard Needham HP Minister for Trade

Department of Trade and Industry

Ashdown House

123 Victoria Street

London

SVIE 6RB

Meteorological Office

London Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 2SZ

United Kingdom

Telex: 849801

Tel: 0344 854600 Fax:0344 856909

27 July 1993

Dear Mr Needham

Meteorological Office bid for a contract to provide an Operational Windshear Warning System (OWWS) for the New Airport at Chek Lap Kok, Hong Kong

The Meteorological Office, in partnership with the Varsity Resources Corporation Ltd (VCR) of Hong Kong (a consortium of Higher Education Institutes) have made the above bid to the Hong Kong Government through the Royal Observatory. Our proposal, valued at in excess of

£5 million, is for the provision of a range of software systems, and the specification of computer hardware which will be purchased by the Hong Kong Government.

We have been informed by the Royal Observatory that ourselves and an American consortium (probably the National Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Boulder, working with selected Hong Kong scientists) have been selected to enter a last phase of negotiation. Our information from the Royal Observatory is that we are "in the lead", but face a strong challenge, with much "arm-twisting at high levels" from the Americans. Indeed, VCR have been told that the US party visiting Hong Kong recently included "a former US Secretary of State".

My staff will be visiting Hong Kong from 2-11 August for the negotiations phase, and have made contact with the British Trade Commission. However given the apparent political level of the American approach, it would be helpful if comparable support for our bid could be instigated. I would welcome your reaction to this proposal. You will appreciate that action is needed rather swiftly.

Yours sincerely

Julia Huar

Professor J C R Hunt, FRS

Chief Executive

CC:

The Rt Hon Douglas Hurd, CBE MP

Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

The Viscount Cranbourne

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence

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