TNAG-2917-FCO40-4192-International-support-from-Australasia-regarding-the-future--1993 — Page 28

CONFIDENTIAL

FM CANBERRA

TO TELELETTER FCO

TELELETTER NFR

OF 160352Z NOVEMBER 93

CONFIDENTIAL,

Mr Woodrow

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AND TO TELELETTER HONG KONG, PEKING

FROM: D G BLUNT, CANBERRA

2 2 NOV 1993

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CC:

P F RICKETTS ESQ, HKD, FCO FED, FCO

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C ALDERTON ESQ, SPD, FCO

RN PIERCE ESQ, POLITICAL ADVISER, HONG KONG

N J COX ESQ, PEKING

2. Mr Mans

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1

AUSTRALIAN POLICY TOWARDS HONG KONG

SUMMARY

1.

Further newspaper article suggesting that Australian Prime Cobell Minister spoke less than supportively about Hong Kong to Li Peng in June. DFAT in the dark about what Mr Keating may have said. pains to stress no change to Australia's (supportive) policy. However, may be no smoke without fire: perhaps more chance at Seattle of Senator Evans raising Hong Kong with Qian than of Mr Keating weighing in with Jiang.

DETAIL

2. Rob Holland reported in his fax of 21 October to Stone (HKD) remarkable article in that day's "The Australian" newspaper by

At

but don'ts (Australian Prime Minister) had contradicted the Australian is atlanta David Lague (Hong Kong correspondent) which argued that Mr Keating

see any

report.

Government's line on Hong Kong towards the end of his meeting in June with Li Peng. Mr Keating was quoted as having said that "Australia is not particularly impressed with Patten's modus

Mr. When operandi or his taking an interest in Hong Kong's political

situation so late in the piece." Mr Lague repeated this allegation thrown away in a further article in "The Australian" of 2 November (full text

to you and Bob Pierce by fax). As you will see, the later article continued that Mr Keating's aides were staggered by this remark, described as a significant departure from Australia's previous unqualified support for the Governor's proposals. Premier Li was said to be inscrutable and not to have responded to Mr Keating's comment.

16

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