TNAG-2702-FCO40-3908-Memoirs-of-Sir-Percy-Cradock--diplomat-and-sinologist-1993 — Page 46

Mr Ham

PUS

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

HKD

Mr Richelts HK

Thank yo

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has issued.

FROM:

PF Ricketts

Lotter

621

144

Jacqw Booker

Aps/pus

6/12/93

Hong Kong Department

1 MEB 010/4.

DATE:

3 December 1993

CC:

Sir J Coles

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SIR PERCY CRADOCK'S MEMOIRS ON HONG KONG

1.

Sir P Cradock has sent to the Cabinet Secretary a revised text of the final chapter of his book.

2. I have considered this, using the same criteria as were applied in examining the earlier text: i.e. that we should seek the removal of revelations of past confidential negotiations which could inhibit our ability to conduct confidential negotiations with China in the future, and criticism of current policy which could weaken our negotiating position by implying that there were divided counsels within

HMG.

3. I submit a draft letter from the PUS to Sir R Butler enclosing a schedule setting out points which in my view should if possible be deleted. The draft proposes that as on the previous occasion, Sir J Coles should take on this

task by calling in Sir P Cradock. Realistically, we will not be able to persuade Sir P Cradock to remove all this material. But if we could get the first priority items removed, the manuscript should not then do active harm.

Ricketts

PF Ricketts

I

The starkness 1 E P. Cradock's

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JEB

PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

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