CONFIDENTIAL
THIS IS A COPY
THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN RETAINED
IN THE DEPARTMENT UNDER SECTION 3 (4) OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT 1958
THAT THE PROBLEM WAS SERIOUS. THERE WAS A CONNECTION BETWEEN THIS
AND THEIR EFFORT TO CURB LEGAL MOVEMENT. THEY HAD RECENTLY
STEPPED UP BORDER PATROLS.
5. LI'S ASSUMPTION THAT TALKS MIGHT NOT TAKE PLACE FOR SEVERAL
WEEKS IS DISCOURAGING.
THE CHINESE PROBABLY WANT TO GET THE
PROBLEM UNDER GREATER CONTROL BEFORE TALKING. THEY COULD THEN
DEMONSTRATE THAT DENG'S ASSURANCES HAVE BEEN TRANSLATED INTO
ACTION. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS PROCESS COULD WELL TAKE SOME TIME.
WE WILL BE WATCHING THE FIGURES CLOSELY OVER THE NEXT TWO
WEEKS. IF THEY DO NOT DROP SUBSTANTIALLY, AND IF THE CHINESE REMAIN RELUCTANT TO HAVE EARLY TALKS, WE WILL HAVE TO
FIND WAYS OF EXERTING PRESSURE. THIS MIGHT HAVE TO INCLUDE
REVERTING TO THE THREAT OF IMPOSING A QUOTA FROM A GIVEN
DATE, I WANT HOWEVER TO AVOID THIS IF WE CAN.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
HK & GD
UND
SEAD
FED
SAD
EID (E)
PUSD
OID
IPD
PS
PS/SIRI GILMOUR PS/MR HURD PS¡MR BLAKER
PS/PUS
SIR A DUTF
SIR A PARSONS
MR CORTAZZI
MR LEAHY
NEWS D MVD
MR MURRAY
2
COPIES TO
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE
LONDON
MR BURLEIGH .
HOME OFFICE QUEEN ANNE'S GATE
MR BIRT
HOME OFFICE
LUNAR HOUSE
CROYDON
CONFIDENTAL