f
good
Indians
CONFIDENTIAL
3.
The Indians' Associations are reportedly "disgusted"
and angry at the decision. They have expressed the view
that some Indians will now transfer their assets from Hong Kong. They are also said to be considering taking legal
against HMG and lodging a complaint with the
action
European
Commission
of
Human
Rights.
General
4.
A
Wider public reaction in Hong Kong seems on the whole to have been generally favourable, although with some
disappointment expressed over the ethnic minorities. number of prominent individuals in Hong Kong, one or
whom might have been expected to take a different view,
have welcomed the decisions.
one or two of
Press
5.
very full.
Factual reporting in the Hong Kong press has been
Commentaries have so far tended to focus on the
rejection of the Indians' request. Editorials in the
English language press have been critical of the decision
on ethnic minorities, but have not overlooked the
difficulty it would have caused HMG to meet their request.
Parliament
6.
There have been reports in Hong Kong of criticism of
HMG by Paddy Ashdown MP, Jack Ashley MP, Alf Dubs MP and
Lord Chitnis.
However when Dr Wilson described
the
was
Government's decision to Lord Maclehose the latter
disposed to be helpful and to suggest how the Government's
best response to the three requests could7bě presented.
CONFIDENTIAL