TNAG-2767-FCO40-3984-Hong-Kong-and-the-media-interviews--press-briefings-and-the--1993 — Page 157

N J Cox Esq

Hong Kong Department

FCO

Reply sent

Ms Sounder 13 15/3

HKB

Pl. Sp

301/1

RECEIVED IN FEGISTRY

16 MAR 1993

British

ps.

Media

High Commission Singapore

Tanglin Road Singapore 1024

Telephone: 4739333

48

Telex: RS 21218 (a/b UKREP SP RS 21218) Telegraphic address: UKREP Singapore Facsimile: 4759706; 4752320

DESK OFFICER INDEX

PA

REGISTRY Action Takafu

?

Dear Mr Coxc

HONG KONG: SINGAPORE PRESS COVERAGE

You may be interested to see the enclosed cuttings from a three-part series on Governor Chris Patten's plans

for Hong Kong which appeared in the Straits Times last week.

Following extensive press coverage last month, brought on mainly by Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew's provocative "conspiracy theory" remarks at the Li Ka Shing lecture and in subsequent press interviews, media interest here in this subject had appeared to have died down.

It is not entirely clear to us why the Straits Times should at this juncture see fit to resurrect this controversy, though the possibility of their having been instructed to do so by a still vindictive Lee Kuan Yew cannot be ruled out.

in seepentant

Your mixed Wilhell.

M J MITCHELL

25 February 1993

cc: B E Stewart, SEAD, FCO

: W G Ehrman, Political Adviser,

Hong Kong Government Secretariat

prof

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