SECRET
1203 1
ATTENTION TOTHE GOVERNOR'S NEW YEAR MESSAGE.IN WHICH HE SAID: 'OVER
THE PAST YEAR, ALL OF US IN GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN FULLY COMMITTED
TO THE SEARCH FOR A SETTLEMENT FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG WHICH
WILL SECURE ITS LONG TERM STABILITY AND PROSPERITY. WE SHALL
CONTINUE THE TASK WITH UNFLAGGING ENERGY AND DETERMINATION.
THERE HAS BEEN AND WILL BE NO MORE IMPORTANT CALL ON OUR TIME
AND ENERGY. WE KNOW VERY WELL WHAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ARE
LOOKING FOR THE CONTINUATION OF THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS IN
OUR SOCIETY AND ASSURANCE THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE. THAT IS WHAT
WE ARE WORKING FOR. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT FULLY ENDORSE THIS.
5.
IF YOU DO REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE, WHAT
-
ASSURANCES DO YOU HAVE THAT THEY WILL RESPECT IT?
ANSWER: I HAVE BEEN OBSERVING THESE TALKS FOR SOME TIME NOW
AND I AM VERY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE OUTCOME. I AM CONFIDENT THAT
BOTH WE AND THE CHINESE HAVE A COMMON INTEREST IN CONCLUDING
AND ADHERING TO AN AGREEMENT WHICH WILL MEET HONG KONG'S
INTERESTS.
HOWE
FUTURE OF HONG KONG
LIMITED
ED/EKD
ED/FED
ED/PLANNING STAFF
EB/PUSD
D/ED/PUSD (MR FLOWER)
́RES.B. (MR WALKER)
LEGAL ADVISER (SIR IAN SINCLAIR
PS
PS/LADY YOUNG
PS/AIR LUCE
PS/PUS
SIR J BULLARD
SIR W HARDING
MR DONALD
AR WRIGHT
SIR C TICKELL
2.
COPIES TO:
BUCKINGHAM PALACE
PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL PS/HOME SECRETARY
PS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL
PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY
COPIES TO: (VIA ADR)
MR ROBERTS
MR BURROWS
NEWS D
LEGAL ADVS
MR COLES NO 10 DOWNING ST
MR MARTIN ASSESSMENT STAFF CABINET OFFICE
MR GOODALL CABINET OFFICE
MR BRENNAN CABINET OFFICE
PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE D PS/ATTORNEY GENERAL
SIR P CRADOCK RM K195
SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING STREET
SECRET
FC040/1657