TNAG-2702-FCO40-3908-Memoirs-of-Sir-Percy-Cradock--diplomat-and-sinologist-1993 — Page 228

CONFIDENTIAL

DRAFT LETTER FROM THE PUS TO THE CABINET SECRETARY

June 1993

Sir Robin Butler GCB CVO

Secretary to the Cabinet

and Head of the Home Civil Service

Cabinet Office

70 Whitehall

London SW1

Sir Percy Cradock sent me a copy of his letter of 8 June to you about his memoirs.

It is not altogether surprising that he is resisting our proposal that he either delay publication of his book until our negotiations with the Chinese are concluded, or alternatively excise the passages which relate to our continuing negotiations. But many of the arguments he

uses are faulty. I do not think it would be right to let

matters rest there.

I therefore suggest that you should ask him to call (he says in his letter that he is willing to do so). I am very ready to attend if you would like that. I believe our objective should be to rebut his arguments and persuade him to accede to our request that he should not publish the passages in, pages 198 to 219 of his manuscript until the negotiations with the Chinese are concluded.

If you agree to this course of action, we would be happy to supply a brief. We would also let the Governor of Hong Kong know of Sir Percy's reply to your letter and how we propose to pursue the matter.

David Gillmore

CONFIDENTIAL