TNAG-2702-FCO40-3908-Memoirs-of-Sir-Percy-Cradock--diplomat-and-sinologist-1993 — Page 221

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

we see a real risk of damage to our continuing negotiations with China if Sir P Cradock gives a detailed account of confidential negotiations

conducted in the recent past when he was a senior official in a sensitive post.

In particular, this will encourage the Chinese in their belief that Sir P Cradock represents a strand

of thinking within the Government, that our counsels are divided, and that if they hold out they will

extract concessions from us.

We disagree with his view that British policy

changed last October and has now changed again.

If he decided to go ahead with publication we would

have to make plain that this was against our advice.

In those circumstances we would wish to see the

deletion of two potentially damaging revelations in

the section on the Airport:

I would be grateful to know whether you are content with this approach.

THIS IS A COPY

THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN

CLOSED UNDER

FOI EXEMPTION NO. 27)

SIR J COLES

governor11.6

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL