TNAG-2770-FCO40-3987-Coverage-of-Sino-British-talks-in-the-Hong-Kong-press-1993 — Page 151

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MADE TWO-FRONT PREPARATIONS'' I.E. SETTING UP THE PRELIMINARY WORK ORGAN OF THE SAR PREPARATORY COMMITTEE.

18. A SIGNED COMMENTARY RELEASED BY THE HK CHINA NEWS AGENCY ACCUSED BRITAIN FOR NOT KEEPING TO INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS (21.6). THE ARTICLE SAID THAT AFTER FIVE ROUNDS OF TALKS, THERE WAS NO AGREEMENT AND THERE WERE EVEN SIGNS THAT THE GAPS WERE WIDENING AS A RESULT, ONE SHOULD NOT PLACE TOO MUCH HOPE ON THE NEXT ROUND.

GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO LONDON.

19. THE PAPERS REPORTED PROMINENTLY (17.6) THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO LONDON FROM 30 JUNE TO 2 JULY. MANY PAPERS QUOTED SOURCES AS SAYING THE HMG WAS ANXIOUS ABOUT LACK OF PROGRESS IN THE TALKS AND THE FORTHCOMING VISIT WOULD BE AN IMPORTANT DECISION MAKING MEETING ON FUTURE STRATEGY AND WHETHER A DEADLINE FOR THE TALKS SHOULD BE SET. ATV QUOTED SOURCES AS SAYING THE VISIT WAS NOT A REGULAR ONE BUT HAD JUST BEEN DECIDED UPON. IT WAS BELIEVED THAT TALKS WOULD CONTINUE UNTIL THIS AUTUMN BEFORE A DECISION WOULD BE MADE ON WHETHER TO TABLE THE ELECTORAL BILLS IN LEGCO REGARDLESS OF CHINESE OBJECTION.

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LEGAL ADVISERS//MS BARRETT LEGAL ADVISERS//MISS BROOKS LEGAL ADVISERS//MR GILES NEWS D

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SIR J COLES MR HUM

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