SECRET
FROM RESPONDING TO THE RISING PUBLIC DEMAND FOR INFORMATION ON
WHAT IS GOING ON, WITH CONSEQUENT ACCUSATIONS OF PASSIVITY, LACK
OF LEADERSHIP AND SO ON. THIS HAS TO BE TOLERATED IN THE SHORT
TERM BUT UNLESS THERE IS SOMETHING TO SHOW FOR THE PATIENCE WE
HAVE ENJOINED ON THE PUBLIC, THE POINT WILL BE REACHED AT WHICH
THE CREDIBILITY OF THE ADMINISTRATION WILL BE CALLED IN QUESTION.
6. IN SHORT, EVERYONE IS NOW LOOKING FOR PROGRESS OR AT LEAST
SIGNS OF GREATER ACTIVITY THAN OVER THE PAST NINE MONTHS. IF THE
CURRENT DISCUSSIONS IN PEKING LEAD TO AN EARLY START OF SUBSTANTIVE
TALKS AND I ATTEND, THIS WILL BE INTERPRETED AS EVIDENCE THAT THE
LOG JAM HAS BEEN BROKEN. PROVIDED THE ACCOMPANYING ATMOSPHERICS
ARE RIGHT THE EFFECT ON CONFIDENCE SHOULD BE FAVOURABLE BUT
CONTINUING EVIDENCE OF PROGRESS WILL BE REQUIRED AND IF NOTHING
MUCH IS SEEN TO BE HAPPENING THE GLOOM IS LIKELY TO DEEPEN. THE
NEXT SIX MONTHS ARE THEREFORE LIKELY TO BE CRUCIAL FOR THE FUTURE
OF HONG KONG. HMG'S CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO THE TERRITORY WILL
BE VERY IMPORTANT AND PEOPLE HERE WILL BE LOOKING FOR EVIDENCE
THAT THEIR FUTURE REMAINS HIGH ON THE AGENDA OF MINISTERS IN
LONDON.
YOUDE
护
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
TWIN-BRAND
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