TNAG-2829-FCO40-4082-Hong-Kong-Guangdong-nuclear-power-station--Daya-Bay--China-1993 — Page 168

GOVERMENT HOUSE HONG KONG.

TUE 24 AUG 93 07:55

PG.03

We have, since then, requested that the sides should resume talks as soon as possible to resolve the matter. We have explained that it will be difficult for us fully to consider the confidentiality question without knowing in specific and practical terms the circumstances under which your side might wish to classify information as confidential. We would also need to have an overall picture of the arrangements for the information to be exchanged, covering both on-site and off-site situations. We proposed that we set this matter to one side and proceed to the discussion of on-site issues.

In response to a letter, dated 9 July 1993, from Mr Qian Han Wen, the leader of the Guangdong expert group, we have agreed that the two delegations should meet again to discuss and, hopefully, resolve the

confidentiality question and, at the same time, start the discussion of on-site issues. We have made it clear that we are prepared to discuss the confidentiality question and to put forward some constructive and useful suggestions in the course of the discussion. The latest letter from Mr Qian is most discouraging; he indicates that it would not be possible to arrange for talks to resume until mid-September. We find this difficult to understand. appreciate that because of the off-site emergency exercise to be conducted by your office on 18 August, a meeting in mid-August may be difficult. But there appears to be no reason why a meeting cannot be arranged immediately after the exercise, in late August or early September.

We

Testing has commenced at the Guangdong Nuclear Power Station and the first reactor is expected to become operational in October/November this year. It is of crucial importance that we should reach agreement on the arrangements for early notification and information exchange, and put these arrangements in place as possible. I should, therefore, be grateful for your agreement that the two delegations should now meet either in the week beginning 23 August or the week beginning 30 August. We would be happy to have the meeting held either in Guangdong or in Hong Kong. I would also suggest that the delegation meeting should be immediately followed by a meeting of the expert groups to continue the detailed discussion of on-site and any other outstanding issues.

proposal.

I look forward to your agreement to my

Kimm

(K J Woodhouse)

for Secretary for Security

(1.0. New China News Agency

(ALLn.: Mr Yang YouYong)