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4. Having explained the position in these terms, the Minister
might point out that a public pronouncement that no evacuation plans
existed could only cause disquiet, possibly debate in the United
Kingdom, leading to discussion or speculation about the security of
our position in the Colony and its future. It was better to avoid
this, since this also could lead to loss of confidence in Hong Kong.
And it placed Ministers in a very difficult position. They would
have to answer that there were no plans for evacuation explaining
that HMG were determined to maintain their position in the Colony;
and, because of the repercussions in Hong Kong, Ministers would be
quite unable to offer any further explanation in public.
5.
would
To be used only if directly and strongly pressed 7
Whatever the situation we may have to face in Hong Kong, a
determined effort would be made to evacuate a few particularly
vulnerable people, both Chinese and non-Chinese, who could not for
one reason or another be left to fall into Chinese hands.
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