TNAG-2734-FCO40-3942-Hong-Kong-role-of-the-Legislative-Council-(LEGCO)-1993 — Page 166

3. BEIJING CRYPTEK

WED 03 MAR 93 19:05

PG.01

род

arch 1993

SECRET

British Embassy Peking

CLASSIFIED FAX: DESKBY 0400302)

Peop

|| 6040

Jon Cone Men Wat

-

Peking

Republu od Chargi

Telephom. 62 1961

Cably: Prudrome Pokar

$

Dinham Esq ernment House

Kong

· Martin,

Telex 2219

Care simile

532 1930ECKE

,*་

DI CUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE: DRAFT STATEMENT TO LEGCO

باد

1 1J

=

Thank you for your faxed letter of earlier this evening, h I have discussed with the Ambassador.

we have studied carefully draft statement 'A' (no coment on talks). We have to advise that in our judgement

is not consistent with the objective set out in para 7 of Governor's telno 17 to Peking: if the Governor spoke to Lento in such specific terms it would entirely preclude the

nose agreeing to talks starting in the near future.

th

..

On present form we believe that after one or two further nds of discussions here we are likely to be able to

an ounce an early start to talks on a basis with which you are. sa isfied. If however we now disclosed, the details of our recent contacts, unilaterally breaching diplomatic confidentiality, the Chinese would be bound to react

S

ד.

emotionally and to see no point in embarking on substantive confidentlak talks. They would conclude that we had signed

we, would, have strengthened

ww 13 pre

fat that.

confrontation an

cord shows Fering ght

is of thosethere

oralism. The dilatory A