TNAG-2702-FCO40-3908-Memoirs-of-Sir-Percy-Cradock--diplomat-and-sinologist-1993 — Page 132

CONFIDENTIAL

Sir P Cradock:

Rejected this amendment.

Second para "a confrontation rapidly developed". Implies both sides contributed. We were still seeking to negotiate.

Sir P Cradock: Rejected this amendment.

"Which would mean that the reforms "which could mean".

Speculative.

Better

Sir P Cradock: Proposed "Would, if implemented" or "if carried out".

P10

- "On the British side the Government expressed their full backing for Mr Patten; and the Foreign Secretary stated that the days of negotiation with Peking over the head of Hong Kong were passed". As above. Misrepresents what we were doing at this time.

Sir P Cradock: Proposed "there were repeated statements of readiness for discussion, but the Government expressed

- Third para "Diplomacy was not entirely asleep". Ours never had been.

Tendentious.

"The British Government were by this time sufficiently concerned at the crisis to put out feelers". Factually incorrect. There was no change in our policy. We sought talks with China from October onwards.

Sir P Cradock:

Proposed "The British Government had emphasised throughout that they were ready to have talks without preconditions".

P11

- Third para "a drawing back"

"Implied a somewhat reduced role for Hong Kong". Factually incorrect, Hong Kong's role was the same as in the Joint Declaration negotiations etc. The need for the outcome to be acceptable to Hong Kong people and passed into law by LegCo continued to be stressed.

•

Fourth para "For some six months there had been a relapse ...trials of strength". Tendentious. Again misrepresents our

policy.

Sir P Cradock: Noted.

P11/12

"The desperate casting about for an alternative policy". Factually incorrect.

Sir P Cradock:

Noted.

jm.lett.JM

SLM

CONFIDENTIAL