HER/CAT A
PRIORITY HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NO. 1554
TOP COPY
TO FOREIGN OFFICE
2 OCTOBER 1967
CYPH
OBER
570: не
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CONFIDENTIAL
ADDRESSED-CO 1554
568)
YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 2130.
FOR GALSWORTHY FROM HALL.
R
BUBLE-
WE FELL YOUR PROPOSED REPLY TENDS TO STRESS 'TERRORISM' UNDULY, THIS TO SOME EXTENT PLAYS INTO THE HANDS OF TOUBLE MAKERS. THE BOMB INCIDENTS AT PRESENT AT ANY RATE DO NOT AMOUNT TO 'TERROR' AND ARE SIGNALLY FAILING TO UPSET THE NORMAL LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY. IN GENERAL THE ATMOSPHERE IS ONE OF 'BUSINESS AS USUAL' AND, E.G. OPENING OF RACING SEASON ON SATURDAY AND MONDAY LAST WAS WELL ATTENDED.
dea 576
*
2. WE SUGGEST EMPHASIS SHOULD BE ON NORMALCY RATHER THAN ON TERRORISM AND WOULD PREFER REPLY AS FOLLOWS:
'ECONOMICALLY HONG KONG CONTINUES TO PROSPER BECAUSE OF THE DETERMINATION, ENERGY AND INDUSTRY OF HER PEOPLE, EXPORTS
AND TOURISTS HAVE INCREASED BY 16% AND 12% OVER THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR 1966. IN MOST WAYS THE COLONY CONTINUES ITS NORHAL, ENERGETIC LIFE DESPITE SPORADIC BOMB INCIDENTS. I KNOW THE HOUSE WILL WISH TO RECORD THEIR ADMIRATION FOR THE SPLENDID BEHAVIOUR OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WHO HAVE REFUSED TO BE INTIMIDATED BY THE ACTS OF VIOLENCE BY A VERY SMALL GROUP OF TROUBLEMAKERS. WE ALL DEPLORE THE LOSS OF LIFE AND INJURIES. THESE HAVE CAUSED AND I AM SURE THE HOUSE WILL WISH ME TO EXPRESS OUR SYMPATHY TO THOSE WHO HAVE
SUFFERED PERSONAL LOSSES. THE HONG KONG POLICE HAVE CONTINUED TO CARRY OUT THEIR ONEROUS AND DANGEROUS DUTIES WITH DETERIORATION
AIL RESTRAINT.
1
3. WITH REFERENCE TO PARA. 3 OF YOUR TELEGRAM, WEEKLY STATISTICS ALREADY SENT TO YOU BY BAG GIVE UP TO DATE INFORMATION AND WE THINK DETAILS AS OF THAT DATE SHOULD
SUFFICIENT.
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES N^.63]
20 CCTWW
4. HINISTER IS MAKING T.V. STATEMENT TODAY AND TEXT WILL SE
i HAIN KÍN VOULU
FOR SUPPLEMENTARIES,
1401/17.