TNAG-2707-FCO40-3913-Hong-Kong-political-parties-Cooperative-Resources-Centre-(CR-1993 — Page 77

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CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG

CONFIDENTIAL

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 2872

OF 09121OZ DECEMBER 92

INFO ROUTINE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG

A

152426 MDHIAN 1830

PERSONAL FOR RICKETTS, HKD.

PEKING:

FROM GOVERNOR.

PERSONAL FOR AMBASSADOR.

UKREP JLG: PERSONAL FOR GALSWORTHY.

CALLS ON THE PRIME MINISTER BY LEGCO MEMBERS.

1.

YESTERDAY (8 DECEMBER) I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM ALLEN LEE ENCLOSING ONE THAT HE HAD WRITTEN TO THE PRIME MINISTER. THIS EXPRESSED THE CONCERN OF MEMBERS OF THE CRC ABOUT THE CURRENT IMPASSE BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA AND ASKED FOR A MEETING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO DISCUSS THIS. IN HIS LETTER TO ME, ALLEN LEE SAID THAT ON THEIR RETURN FROM LONDON THE CRC WOULD BE REQUESTING A MEETING WITH THE CHINESE PREMIER.

2. CLEARLY THE CRC MEMBERS WILL BE ABLE TO ARRANGE A MEETING WITH LI PENG. THEY, AND OTHERS, WILL ALSO REMEMBER THAT THE PRIME MINISTER SAW MARTIN LEE LAST SUMMER. CONSEQUENTLY, ALTHOUGH I FULLY APPRECIATE THE CONSTRAINTS ON THE PRIME MINISTER'S TIME, I MUST RECOMMEND THAT HE SHOULD AGREE TO SEE THE DELEGATION. I ALSO RECOMMEND THAT MR.GOODLAD SHOULD ACCOMPANY THE PRIME MINISTER FOR THIS CALL, BOTH SO THAT HE CAN FOLLOW UP WITH THE DELEGATION ANY MATTERS THAT ARE RAISED DURING THE CALL AND SO THAT HE CAN MAKE A STATEMENT TO THE PRESS AFTER IT TAKES PLACE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT THE HONG KONG PAPERS DO NOT CARRY ONLY ONE SIDE OF THE STORY.

-

CHRISTINE LOH,

3. A DELEGATION OF LIBERAL MEMBERS OF LEGCO EMILY LAU, JIMMY MCGREGOR AND DR.C.H.LEUNG WILL ALSO BE VISITING LONDON, DURING THE PERIOD 25-29 JANUARY. IF THE PRIME MINISTER AGREES TO SEE THE CRC DELEGATION, I THINK IT WOULD BE MOST HELPFUL IF HE COULD ALSO SEE THIS LIBERAL GROUP. ALTHOUGH THEY ARE NOT AS SENIOR IN LEGCO AS ALLEN LEE AND HIS COLLEAGUES, THEY HAVE BECOME VERY HIGH PROFILE SUPPORTS, BY AND LARGE, OF OUR CAUSE. IT WOULD BE A USEFUL BOOST TO OUR SUPPORTERS IF THE PRIME MINISTER COULD SEE THEM, HOWEVER BRIEFLY. IT WOULD ALSO GIVE A BALANCED IMPRESSION.

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