7.
8.
terms
attan's
Ꭺ
of my responsibility for Hong Kong (in Parliament.
This being so, it follows that if China is
embarking upon course (i), our resistance to it will
compel her to resort to (ii) or (iii). If she has
счи
decided, or later decides upon (ii), an alternatives
would be to resist - which could would mean war - or
to withdraw.
Withdrawal would represent an unpleasant recognition
of the realities of the situation. I am very much
concerned that if this proves inevitable, our decision to
withdraw should be so made and so implemented as to
preserve as much of our dignity as is possible. ΤΟ
scuttle out hastily under intensive Chinese pressure
would be intolerable.
I therefore propose to inform
my colleagues if my information should lead me to the
belief that withdrawal is likely to be inevitable, and
I am in the meantime preparing contingency plans
for withdrawal, in consultation with the Secretary of
State for Defence.