GOVERMENT HOUSE HONG KONG.
THU 29 APR 93_07:49
The Rt Hon Christopher Patten
PG.02
* * * * #
GOVERNMENT HOUSE
CONFIDENTIAL
29 April 1993
AND STRICTLY PERSONAL
Thank you very much for your letter of 28 April.
Lot mc Bay straight away that I agree with your codswallop thesis. Since I was appointed I have had extremely good support and excellent advice from FCO officials, in London, Hong Kong and Peking. I have been most grateful for the commitment that everyone has shown.
What unfortunately makon a story that the Press want to write look more credible is the attitudo taken by one or two former members of the Service. ubviously, Sir Percy Czadock's criticisme have been the most damaging. It seems to me, without wishing to be paranoid, that he has moved from being a critic on the sidelines to striving actively to scupper what we are trying to do, It is in this context that I soe hip proposed visit to Hong Kong and China. Given that difficult negotiations have otarted, it is inconceivable that his itinerary will not be seen as more of the secret diplomacy with which his name is associated. The Chincoe are likely to be happy Lu play this up. It will be, at boat, embarrassing and, at worst, it will be used to undermine our authority and to make it look as though
are all being sidelined.
we
and
in the circumstances. I think Lhal, at the very least, he should be approached and asked not to go; that, if this has no offact, it should be made perfectly apparent subsequently that the Fco did ask him not to
go.
not
As for brieting, I cannot now see what good this does. If we have been briefing him up to now it does
seem to have worked to our advantage. Indeed he appcaro to have gone back on his undertaking to Alastair Goodlad to keep low.
A
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.