THIS IS A COPY
THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN RETAINED IN THE DEPARTMENT UNDER
SECTION 3 (4) OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT 1958
ZCZ SPE
N 0342
SECRET
RR FCOLN MOSCO
FM HOKON TO FCOLN
0211152 MAR
GRS 200
SECRET
UK EYES ALPHA
FM HONG KONG
TO ROUTINE FCO
TELNO 341
OF 0211152 MARCH 93
INFO ROUTINE MOSCOW
SECRET /UR EYES
ALPHA
YOUR TELNO 135 AND HONG KONG TELNO 205:
RUSSIAN CONSULATE IN HONG KONG.
WE APPRECIATE THE ASSURANCES IN YOUR TUR AND CAN CONFIRM THAT THE RUSSIANS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE COSTS INVOLVED IN RENTING SUITABLE PREMISES IN HONG KONG.
2. IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID PAYING RENT, THE RUSSIANS HAVE APPARENTLY MANAGED TO INTEREST THE OWNERS OF THE LIPPO AND HENNESSY CENTRES IN AN EXCHANGE ARRANGEMENTS WHEREBY IN RETURN FOR RENT FREE ACCOMMODATION IN HONG KONG, A LOCAL COMPANY CAN OBTAIN SIMILAR RENT FREE PREMISES IN MOSCOW. ON THE QUESTION OF STAFFING
THE RUSSIANS PLAN
TO POST UP TO 13 EXPATRIATES TO HONG KONG, THE MAJORITY BEING COMMERCIAL/CULTURAL OFFICIALS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS FIGURE, ACCURATE, IS EXCESSIVE AND CANNOT BE JUSTIFIED.
IF
3. WE HAVE A SIMILAR OVERSTAFFING PROBLEM WITH THE RECENTLY OPENED AEROFLOT OFFICE. OF THE THREE EXPATRIATE OFFICIALS, ONLY ONE HAS DISPLAYED ANY VOCATION FOR THE JOB, THE REMAINDER APPEAR CONTENT TO ENGAGE IN DUBIOUS COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES WHICH MAY YET STRAY OUTSIDE THE LAW.
4. YOU MIGHT WISH TO CONSIDER THESE POINTS WHEN NEXT APPROACHED BY THE RUSSIANS ON THIS ISSUE.
PATTEN
NNNN
DECRET
Juk
EYES ALPHI
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