MONTHLY REPORT--HONG KONG BUREAU--MARCH 1985

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86-00040R000300530011-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 9, 2010
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: April 1, 1985
• Content Type: MEMO

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FOREIGN BROADCAST INFORMATION SERVICE
HONG KONG BUREAU
MHK-5003
1 April 1985
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, Foreign Broadcast Information Service
THROUGH Chief, Operations Group
SUBJECT Monthly Report--Hong Kong Bureau--March 1985
I. OPERATIONS
A. Monitorial/Editorial
1. The death of Soviet President Chernenko and quick
succession by Gorbachev figured in some of the bureau's work during
the month. Flashworthy items were filed from the AFP Hong Kong
service and subsequent Chinese reaction from the press. An AFP
report several days later that Soviet Defense Minister Sokolov had
died was handled with equal dispatch. But AFP 's source for this
story turned out to be less credible than in the case of Chernenko.
Sokolov subsequently surfaced and the death rumors ceased.
2. Beijing television expanded its evening news coverage by
adding a 10-minute late evening update at 1400 GMT. Programming time
was also extended with documentary or feature items now being carried
following the 1400 newscast. The brief late evening cast usually
repeats the major items from the main 1100 news program.
3. A daily recording of the 1100 GMT television newscast is
now being sent to MOD via Federal Express. The tapes are picked up
before noon by courier and on a plane out of Hong Kong by
mid-afternoon. Receipt time in Headquarters is 2 days after shipment
from here. The tapes are being shipped in response to a MOD request,
levied on several bureaus, for daily video recordings. The bureau
has taken advantage of the quick shipment to Headquarters by
including in each package three copies of RENMIN RIBAO for AG. These
papers were previously sent via international mail, taking about a
week for delivery.
B. Lateral_Sqr.vi.ces
The bureau responded to a number of requests from the
Consulate Economic Section during the month. They were especially
interested in a couple of items that appeared in the 6 March JINGJI
RIBAO and wanted BEN'S in order to alert the Department. We also
received several inquiries and requests in connection with the 1984
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statistics, the full text of which came from Okinawa. Continuing
interest in the bureau file from the Foreign Commercial Service
(FCS), located an the 17th floor of the St. John's Building, has
prompted us to look into the possibility of servicing them with a
pony line. This is still under consideration and would depend on
their willingness to arrange for their own printer. It would also
require some programming in the Extel equipment to select out only
economic-related items of interest to FCS. This appears to be
technically possible and we will pursue if FCS wants to follow
through on the idea. Items of interest to FCS are now being retrieved
from the chief editor's daily review copy and being hand-delivered.
C. Technical
The bureau's emergency generator exhaust system was modified
during the month to permit us to run and test the generator during
normal work hours. The original installation resulted in exhaust
fumes from the generator being pulled into the building air
conditioning system. The modification takes the exhaust through an
extended duct which releases the fumes above and away from the AC
intake. Before the modification, maintenance and testing had to be
done on a Sunday when the main AC was not operating.
II. ADMINISTRATION
A. Personnel
1. A replacement has been found for the bureau's part-time
U.S. secretary,
is the wife of
week job
higher grade, there is no
will be coordinating with
who will be departing this summer. She
who presently works at a 20-hours per
As our opening offers more hours and a
obstacle to her coming to work for us. I
Admin on the arrangements.
2. Senior commo operator
doing fine.
B. Build.ing_pd_groungls
1. Office rent will increase 207. effective this coming
September. This will make our annual charge for both floors $113,000.
The Consulate GS0 tried to negotiate the price downward but building
management refused to budge. The per square foot charge of US$10.80
is still relatively good as space costs go in the Central area of
Hang Kong. Some buildings are charging and receiving $14-15 per
square foot, though a current excess of unoccupied office space is
forcing those charges downward somewhat. The new rental rate will be
effective for 2 years. St. John's management has indicated that
there may also be an increase in monthly air conditioning charges,
but no final decision has been made. The SSO was told that the
higher after-hours AC rates which FBIS pays for evenings and weekends
will likely not be increased.
2. The bureau had a surprise inspection by a Headquarters
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health and safety team on March 22d. Earlier messages had indicated
that the team would only be stopping over in Hong Kong, not visiting
any offices. Though we had only 4 hours notice, all went well and no
problems surfaced. The team determined that our fire extinguishers
now available in the States.
personal protection devices for
the team also reconfirmed that
off any reflected radiation. We
after the antenna was moved, but
our original finding.
should be replaced by a better type
They will ship these and some other
use in office and home. While here
our microwave antenna is not giving
had checked this in January shortly
it was good to have the team verify
III. VISITS
A.
visit to Far East bureaus, 3-6 March.
B.
visit to Hong Kong, 7 March.
during a familiarization
, during a personal
C. former AG Soviet analyst, stopping over on a
trip from Beijing to Bangkok, 17 March.
D. former bureau associate editor, during a visit
to the Far East, 21 March.
E. Okinawa Bureau editor, and Okinawa
Bureau Russian monitor, while on private visits to Hong Kong, 22
March.
F.
inspectors from Washington,
IV. COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
March.
health and safety
A. The Consulate's Foreign National Employee Association held
their annual "Fat Choy" party at the Hilton Hotel on 9 March. More
than 500 employees and guests attended, including from FBIS. Among
the FBIS guests was former chief press monitor until his
retirement in 1979. now resides in Washington state.
Monitor distinghished himself by placing third in a beer
drinking contest held during the evening festivities.
B.
has been nominated as new vice president of
Attachments:
Monthly Production Report
cc: Original and 3 - Hqs
C/Bangkok
C/Okinawa
C/Seoul
" Bureau Chief
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