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2. I recommend we allow publication to go ahead and
attach a press line in case of any media interest.
BACKGROUND AND ARGUMENT
DRAFT
3. Lord Palumbo, Chairman of the Arts Council, has just
returned from a visit to China, at the invitation of the
Chinese Minister of Culture. Before accepting the
invitation, he consulted the FCO because he was concerned
about being used as a political pawn. With Mr Goodlad's
approval, Mr Hum advised that Lord Palumbo should go ahead
with his trip, but that he should be cautious in committing
himself to the idea of the planned arts festival.
4. The original idea for a Festival of Chinese Art in UK
was raised by Lord Palumbo with Mr Mellor at the Department
of National Heritage in 1992. At that time, the Festival was
intended to be held in 1995 and was unconnected with Hong
Kong. The new date of 1997 inevitably introduces a Hong Kong
angle. The Chinese, in the person of Ambassador Ma, have
explicitly linked the idea of to the transfer of sovereignty
over Hong Kong, but equally they recognise that the Festival
could only go ahead if there were to be agreement over Hong
Kong.
5. Consulted over Lord Palumbo's visit and the plan for a
1997 Festival, Sir R McLaren was sceptical about its
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