CONFIDENTIAL
GRS 2250
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 262250Z SEPTEMBER 81
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDO TELEGRAM NUMBER 1707 OF 26 SEPTEMBER
INFO ROUTINE F C O
FOR FORD
FROM SCOTT
334
Mick 38011
KXCARVED IN PASAVET NO. 51 2 8 SEP 1981
DESK OFFICER
NDEX
No
PA
USTRY
ction Takeh
(.4.E
3019
Piro 3019
TO: SOPY
M 1 P T QUESTION AND ANSWER BRIEF AS FOLLOWS:
QUESTION AND ANSWER BRIEF:
see 136
1. Q. HAS GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED THE COMMISSION'S REPORT ?.
A. THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECEIVED THE REPORT, HAS STUDIED
IT AND IS TAKING ACTION ON VARIOUS MATTERS.
(AVOID BEING DRAWN INTO WHETHER GOVERNMENT HAS ''ACCEPTED'' THE REPORT, OR SOME PARTS AND NOT OTHERS, THE MAIN CONCLUSIONS (P 199) ON THE TERMS OF REFERENCE ARE OF COURSE SATISFACTORY BUT GOVERNMENT DOES NOT ACCEPT THAT THE CRITICISMS OF C/P AND A/G
INVALIDATE FULL CONFIDENCE IN THEM (SEE Q.3, 4, 18-21)).
2. Q. WHY IS NO PRESS CONFERENCE BEING HELD TO PRESENT THE
REPORT ?.
A. IT IS THE REPORT OF AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION OF INQUIRY,
WHICH HAS COMPLETED ITS FUNCTIONS. THE REPORT GOES INTO THE
PUBLIC RECORD AND THE FINDINGS STAND ON THEIR OWN. AS ALREADY STATED, THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECEIVED THE REPORT AND IS TAKING
APPROPRIATE ACTION.
3. Q. DOES ANY DOUBT REMAIN THAT MACLENNAN COMMITTED SUICIDE
OR THAT THERE WAS A CONSPIRACY TO DRIVE HIM TO IT ?.
A. THE COMMISSION REPORT STATES UNEQUIVOCALLY AND
ABSOLUTELY CLEARLY THAT IT WAS SUICIDE AND THERE IS NO QUESTION
OF ANY CONSPIRACY OR PLOT.
4. Q. WOULD THE GOVERNMENT AGREE THAT THE REPORT REVEALS SERIOUS
DEFECTS OR MAL-ADMINISTRATION ON THE PART OF GOVERNMENT
DEPARTMENTS OR ON THE PART OF INDIVIDUALS ?
•
A. NO. (THE COMMISSION REFERS TO "’ECZEMA'', TO A NUMBER
OF DEFECTS'' MORE IN THE NATURE OF HUMAN FRAILTY AND ERRORS THAN A ''DEFECTIVE SYSTEM'').
5. Q. DOES GOVERNMENT AGREE THAT THE MOTIVES OF PEOPLE WHO
CAMPAIGNED FOR AN INQUIRY WERE IMPROPER ?.
A. IT IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO COMMENT ON THIS
QUESTION. CONSIDERABLE PUBLIC CONCERN WAS EXPRESSED BY A NUMBER
OF PEOPLE AND THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL DECIDED TO APPOINT THE
CONFIDENTIAL
/ COMMISSION
35