TNAG-2769-FCO40-3986-Hong-Kong-and-the-media-interviews--press-briefings-and-the--1994 — Page 44

TO:

AT:

A X

TRANSMISSION

John Morris

HKD, FCO

FROM:

FAX NO:

Chris Osborne

DATE:

16 December 1993

REF:

Page 1 of 02

HKB 301 REC301/1

JAN 134

ISTRY

British

Trade Commission

Hong Kong

9th Floor, Bank of America Tower, 12 Harcourt Road, Hong Kong

Mail Address: GPO Box No 528. Hong Kong

Telephone: 598 0176

Telex: HX 73081 (a/b 72091 UKTRA HX) Facsimile: (852) 845 2870

Cable Address: UK TRADE, Hong Kong

CC

Mar Heam

230

Dear dom

Eastern Express.

FLOISTRY

on Taken

Mr Rickets F.i.

Dove the Sam 20/12,

Same

To drale suboun

We have received a bid from Steve Vines, editor of the soon to he launched Eastern Express, for an interview with the Prime Minister. The interview would be timed to appear in the first edition duo cut around 20 January.

The Eastern Express is the first new English language paper to be launched in the Territory since The HK Tiger Standard in 1949. Steve Vines, who was the Guardian correspondent until he was appointed editor, is widely regarded as a good choice. With the very considerable financial backing of the Oriental Publishing Group - publishers of the Chinese language Oriental Daily he has been recruiting some of the best journalists and columnists in Hong Kong and from further afield.

The paper already has a strong editorial and news team. It shows every sign of being a success. Given the steady decline of the Standard and the patchy quality of the South China Morning Fost, the appearance of a good quality English language paper on the scene is very much to be welcomed.

I have discussed the bid with Government House and they support it.

The downside is that we will be committing ourselves to an interview some weeks hence when the timing might look less attractive. Given the timetable of action envisaged, however, I think the risk is small. The offer of an interview can in any case be given in principle, subject to final decision nearer the time. We also recognise that the PM might well not have anything new to say and we have said as much to Vines. Vince himself would probably do the interview, though that is not certain. If he does he is by no means a soft option. Although he supports what the Governor is doing he believes HMG has consistently let Hong Kong down and that we would not be in our present predicament if we had not prevaricated in the past over democracy.

Mc

16/12

Every effort is made to ensure that the information given herein is securate, but no legal responsibility is accepted for any errors, omissions or misleading statements in that informadon szwed by negligence or othemeine and no responsibility is accepted in sessed in the standing of any firms, companies or individuals mentioned.