TNAG-2702-FCO40-3908-Memoirs-of-Sir-Percy-Cradock--diplomat-and-sinologist-1993 — Page 240

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PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

The Minister agrees.

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21 MAY 1993

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Hong Kong Department ISTRY

14 May 1993.

Dr

Mr Bone, LRD

(. JUN 1393

PA

REGISTRY Action Taken

Miss Brooks, Legal Advisers Mr Walton, Ledal Advisers Mr Fry, FED

SIR PERCY CRADOCK'S MEMOIRS

1.

letter brissuu.

L24/5

DAVID CILLMORE

I submit a draft reply from the PUS to Sir R Butler offering advice on Sir P Cradock's memoirs (copy also attached).

2. I set out the background and the advice which I proposed we should offer to the Cabinet Secretary in my minute of 10 May. You commented in you minute of 11 May. Sir John Coles has telephoned me from Hong Kong to say that he has now spoken to the Governor on the lines proposed in our telno 53 to Pretoria (which the PUS endorsed). The Governor agreed that our approach was sensible. He asked to read a copy of Sir P Cradock's memoirs (I will take one out with me to Hong Kong this evening). But he specifically agreed that we need not hold up our advice while he does so.

3.

The draft letter proposes that Sir Robin Butler asks Sir P Cradock to excise the problematic chapters on general political grounds rather than undertaking a detailed textual analysis against the criteria in the Radcliffe Rules. It indicates that, if Sir P Cradock insists, we could supply some examples of specific disclosures of information in the manuscript which could be injurious to our relations with the Chinese side. But I suggest we hold these back for use in a second round with Sir P Cradock if necessary. I am concerned that if we offer them too early, Sir P Cradock will simply agree to excise these three references, and proceed to publication. The risk of damage to our dealings with the Chinese on these issues would then remain.

Pochett

P F Ricketts

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