TNAG-2759-FCO40-3976-Henry-Keswick--UK-businessman--and-the-Hong-Kong-Association-1993 — Page 8

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for advice and aft

PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL

reply ease.

16 September 1993-

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شامه

2.U. 1993

Dear Douglas

Henry Keswick

I wrote to you on 2nd March 1993 asking if you would recommend the above for a knighthood and had a sympathetic letter back from you dated 7th March 1993. I know these things take time but I do hope you might be willing to have another go at pushing it in time for the New Year's Honours.

I do not think it would raise problems with Beijing as Henry is getting increasingly involved in joint ventures with China. I also believe that Chris Patten's splendid stance, which Henry has bravely supported, will pay off and that the Chinese will eventually climb down.

You are doing fine on Bosnia and in your warnings against involvement in places like Somalia where outside interference does more harm than good. But I am worried about the sell-out on Belize, once British Honduras, which we have been protecting for over 350 years. The Guatemalan leaders have made it absolutely clear (I heard them on the BBC World Service) that when we go they will march in. This will not only be extremely unhappy for the people of Belize, but will promote smuggling of drugs which can be cheaply produced there into the USA, to the great annoyance of Washington.

When you have a moment I would like very much to have a general talk with you as I have lacked the benefit of your wisdom for far too many months. you o

an fyl

yam

Lurrow

The Rt. Hon.Douglas Hurd, CBE,MP,

Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

--༥,

A

11

7 March 1993

Foreign & Commonwealth Office

London SWIA 2AH

From The Secretary of State

HUB 121/5

2 c. 1993

Dear hoodrow,

Thank you for your letter of 2 March recommending

Henry Keswick for a knighthood. I know how much

Chris Patten has appreciated the support of those who backed his proposals last year. I have passed your

commendation to the Honours Committee with a request that

they consider it. I am not in a position to forecast the

outcome, but I am grateful to you for taking the trouble to

write.

Thank you for your words of encouragement on Bosnia.

Youery

Y

Lord Wyatt of Weeford

Douglas Hurd

STRICTLY PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL

HKB 121/5

2nd March 1993

2.U. 1993

Thank.

Din Dougies

I wonder if you would be willing to recommend Henry Keswick

for a knighthood.

He is

willin

an exceptionally able businessman in Hong Kong and here, as you know. But In Hong Kong he must have

been of great value to the Governor as he bravely stood up for

him over the proposed LegCo reforms. Most of the rest of the

business community in Hong Kong was against Henry Keswick in

doing this. Henry Keswick is extremely loyal to the government

nere and thinks, as I do, that John Major is on the right track.

He defends him strongly in the business circles among which he

inoves.

I could write to the Prime Minister myself but think it

would not be one millionth as good as if you were willing to do

so.

Bosnia.

I think you have been striking exactly the right line over

чи

Luze zhrozo

The Rt. Hon. Douglas Hurd, CBE, MP,

Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs.

SMUE