TNAG-2702-FCO40-3908-Memoirs-of-Sir-Percy-Cradock--diplomat-and-sinologist-1993 — Page 124

CONFIDENTIAL

There remains the question of whether his criticism of the Government or the Governor is of such a nature as to weaken our negotiating position by implying that there are divided counsels within HMG. As stated above, a certain amount of critical comment is retained in the latest version, directed notably at what he chooses to term "a policy of effective, if not altogether, intended, confrontation" (last line of the first chapter). But his presentation of this theme has been a good deal softened by amendment. We do not believe that the latest version will weaken our negotiating position in any significant way. It was never, of course our position that we wished all criticism to be removed from the text, a point I specifically reaffirmed to Percy Cradock at our last meeting.

From the point of view of the FCO therefore we would be content for your objections to publication to be withdrawn.

Percy Cradock says in his letter that if we agree to publication he hopes that, in answer to enquiries, we would be prepared to say that the text had been submitted and is not in our view harmful to the negotiations with Peking. He raised the matter of press handling with me at our meeting. I said that that question lay outside my territory. If you do decide to withdraw your objections my advice is that we should not speculate publicly on the effect of publication on the negotiations. It would seem to me to suffice to say that the text was submitted in the normal way, that as a result certain changes were made and that no objection was then made to publication. We shall clearly need to ensure that the departments concerned and, if necessary, the Hong Kong Government, speak with the same voice. In the light of your eventual decision I propose to write to the Governor (who I believe would be content with the above recommendations).

Finally, Percy Cradock impressed on me his hopes for an early decision as he wishes to finalise matters with his publishers in September. He knows that you are on leave until the end of August and will not expect a decision until then.

for ever

foln Coles.

Sir John Coles

CONFIDENTIAL