TNAG-2730-FCO40-3936-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-1993 — Page 35

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG

TO DESKBY 14100OZ FCO

TELNO 61

OF 140845Z JANUARY 93

CONFIDENTIAL

INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG

RECE

ра

MMB 0171

.Constit. Despit

053,057

MOHIAN 55320

TRY

15 JAN 1992

OSTRY

INvi

PERSONAL FOR RICKETTS, HKD, FROM GOVERNOR

YOUR TELNO 29: HONG KONG: MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER

1. I DO NOT SEE ADVANTAGE IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE SENDING A MESSAGE TO QIAN AT A FIRST ROUND OF DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE, ESPECIALLY IF THAT IS AS EARLY AS NEXT. IT IS UNLIKELY THAT WE WILL KNOW BY THEN WHAT, IF ANYTHING, EXCO WANT TO CHANGE IN MY PROPOSALS. WE MAY ALSO WANT TO KNOW IF ANYTHING ARISES FROM A MEAL WITH AMBASSADOR MA (WHICH AS YOU KNOW I SUPPORT). I SUGGEST THEREFORE THAT WE CONTINUE TO PLAN ON A MESSAGE BETWEEN FINAL EXCO DECISIONS AND TABLING IN LEGCO.

2 "

IF DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE DO START, I THINK THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE LIKELIHOOD THAT EXCO WILL DECLINE TO TAKE ANY FINAL DECISIONS THEMSELVES BEFORE THEY HAVE SEEN THE OUTCOME.

3.

UKREP JLG CONCURS.

PATTEN

YYYY

MAIN

24

HKD

FED

PS

PS/MR GOODLAD

NNNN

DISTRIBUTION

24

PS/PUS

SIR J COLES

MR HUM CHARRIS]

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