(87239) D4.32745) 2500 12/70 GMCL Cin
4649 D135734) 150m 9972 GMD.LE.
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
CONFIDENTA AA
offer is designed to provide a six-month breathing
space while all concerned take another look at the
developing situation. Hong Kong is a major holder of
sterling, and has had, for a variety of historical
reasons, to keep a much higher proportion of its
reserves in sterling than the other major overseas
holders. Our present temporary offer seems a fair one,
but I fear we cannot assume that Hong Kong are finally satisfied, either in the short or long term.
6.
The Governor's reply to my question about the
effect in Hong Kong of new citizenship provisions which*
we have in mind was admirably robust and I have no
doubt that he will carry through whatever we decide.
But any changes would risk harming confidence in
Hong Kong, and I am sure we should not consider thei
unless the countervailing gain to us was tangible and
substantial.
7. The decision to reprieve Tsoi, the convicted
murderer, did not go down at all woll in ilong Kong,
more particularly as it was closely followed by a caso
where, for strictly legal reasons, we have so far beco
unable to send back from this country for trial in
Hong Kong a British police officer accused of large sente
corruption. To the man in the Hong Kong streek it gemus
that in both cases we have frostrated the com
justice in Tiong Kong. On death sentences I ju
tell the Governor that, Parliamentary feeling do Brig
country being what it is, I cannot give him a crush fo
guarantee that I would not again reverse his decising
We have therefore agreed that if I fell unable to
his judgement on another such case - and there mig
/alpert:
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