TNAG-2748-FCO40-3963-Visits-by-Chris-Patten--Governor-of-Hong-Kong--to-other-coun-1993 — Page 76

RESTRICTED

RESTRICTED

FM HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE WASHINGTON

TELNO 9

OF 291047Z MARCH 93

HKB 027/5

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

06 APR 1993

DESK OPMUR INDEX

REGISTRY

PA

Action Tekeni

INFO PRIORITY FCO

121064

MDLIAN 3494

PERSONAL FOR AMBASSADOR FROM GOVERNOR

YRTELNO 11: MY VISIT TO WASHINGTON

1. MANY THANKS FOR YOUR TUR. I FULLY UNDERSTAND THE DIFFICULTIES IN FIXING A TIME FOR MY CALL ON THE PRESIDENT THIS FAR IN ADVANCE. I HAVE NO DIFFICULTY WITH PLANS FOR MY VISIT GOING AHEAD AS YOU PROPOSE PROVIDED THAT UNCERTAINTY OVER THE TIMING OF THE CALL DOES NOT ENTAIL THE RISK THAT I MAY NOT IN FACT SEE THE PRESIDENT.

2. WHEN THE VISIT IS ANNOUNCED THE ONE QUESTION EVERYONE HERE WILL ASK IS WHETHER AND WHEN I WILL SEE THE PRESIDENT. THE WHEN CAN WAIT A BIT PROVIDED THERE IS THE RIGHT ANSWER TO THE WHETHER. IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET ENOUGH REASSURANCE ON THAT FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO SAY WITH CONFIDENCE THAT I WILL BE MEETING THE PRESIDENT.

PATTEN

YYYY

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SINGLE COPIES

HKD //HD

FED//HD

PS/MR GOODLAD

SIR J COLES MR HUM

NAD//HD

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