TNAG-2910-FCO40-4185-International-support-from-Asia-regarding-the-future-of-Hong-1993 — Page 34

*** Business in the Community (Roy Eve, tel 253 3716) is preparing a set of notes for use by Martin Laing in introducing this topic... We have been promised an advance copy by Chatham House, again on 11 February, at which time it may be necessary to reconsider whether ENV1 is the right source for the brief.

II. The Departmental programme

6. The Minister has been much involved in Japan matters for some years, both as a founder member of the 2000 Group and while in Northern Ireland, and has

and has excellent personal contacts in Japan. However, he will expect his briefing pack to be а comprehensive though concise statement of active current issues, sufficient to explain and support the proposed lines to take. A general knowledge of the broad background in Japan can be assumed, but the briefing should provide full and topical updating.

7.

The main elements of the programme on 9 March are likely to be the following-

MITI Minister and Vice Minister

international and bilateral trade policy and bilateral trade issues

Minister or Vice Minister of Posts and Telecomms Chairman of LDP Tax Research Council

JETRO

Liquor taxation

Keidanren (Confederation of Japanese industries) British Chamber of Commerce.

The brief will be in three parts.

8.

1.

OT2/2a will brief.

2.

3.

produce a short steering and strategy

Notes for individual meetings will also largely be for OT2/2a to prepare,

to prepare, but would TP please provide the note (short objective, a couple of points to make and minimum background to make the brief self-contained bearing in mind that more detailed briefing can be reserved to the third part of the briefing pack) on the MPT call.

Subject briefs

-

The aim is to provide concise background on essential subjects only. A standard format should be used: brief UK objective, concise lines to take

take (spécific points to make should be provided separately see below) and concise argument/background as appropriate.

In addition (and on a separate sheet of paper), please provide for all "A" subjects, below, specific points to make for the editors to use in the notes for meetings, using words which could be read out.