TNAG-2938-FCO40-4213-British-Nationality-Hong-Kong-Act-(BNHKA)-1990-operation-of--1993 — Page 45

CONFIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT IN CONFIDENCE

8

101517

MDHIAN 6828

CONFIDENTIAL

MANAGEMENT IN CONFIDENCE

FM BTC HONG KONG

HKD 340/2

RECE

DAMER

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 29

2 5 JAN 1993

OF 230315Z JANUARY 93

INFO IMMEDIATE INTRA

INCE

DTI:

FOR LOVE (OT2)

Misli

Copied to

M. Hum.

FOR HKD: BNHKA/BRITISH UNDERTAKINGS.

MORRIS'S LETTER TO ME OF 14/1.

.

1. AS EXPLAINED IN TELECON DAY/RICKETTS, THE FIRST PHASE SEEMS TO HAVE GONE WELL. HOWEVER, THERE ARE STRONG ARGUMENTS FOR A REVIEW AS THERE MAY WELL BE GROUNDS FOR RECOMMENDING MINOR RECTIFICATIONS. THIS WILL REQUIRE CAREFUL CONSULTATION. ONE EXAMPLE IS THAT

HAS BEEN TURNED DOWN.

2. THE PROBLEM IS SIMPLE. IN ORDER TO LAUNCH THE SCHEME, HALF OF THE RESOURCES OF THE COMMERCIAL SECTION WERE DIVERTED FOR A YEAR OR MORE. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. IT IS A MANAGEMENT ISSUE, WELL UNDERSTOOD BY MY MO.

3. BUT HE CANNOT TAKE MORE ON. HE IS VIRTUALLY ALONE, THE TRADE DRIVE JUST LAUNCHED IS JUST ABOUT BEARABLE. BUT TO ADD THIS AND ALL THE PROBLEMS OF THE NEW CONSULATE-GENERAL WILL REQUIRE TAKING TEETH STAFF OFF COMMERCIAL WORK. THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED LAST JUNE, AND HAS BEEN REPEATED IN EVERY POSSIBLY FORM. TO STOP NOW WOULD REVERSE THE REFORMS OF THE PAST SIX MONTHS JUST AS THEY ARE NEEDED AND ARE BEARING FRUIT.

4. PEOPLE IN LONDON DO NOT SEEM TO REALISE WE ARE NOT AN EMBASSY WITH VARIOUS FUNCTIONS. WE HAVE ONE JOB - TRADE PROMOTION

AND ONE MANAGEMENT SECTION TO ENABLE US TO DO IT.

5.

YOU WILL NEED TO CONSULT DTI AND OTHER AND DECIDE IN WHAT PRIORITY THESE TASKS SHOULD BE DONE.

6. I DO NOT (R) NOT WANT MORE UK-BASED GENERALISTS. THEY WOULD SIMPLY CREATE MORE PROBLEMS. IT IS THE ENGINEROOM THAT NEEDS A STOKER, NOT MORE ENSIGNS ON THE BRIDGE.

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