Concil of Hongkong Indian Associations
Contd. 5
will have in fairness to be conceded, from other groups elsewhere in the world, we suggest that it is not a sustainable argument. Like the Gibraltarians and the Falkland Islanders we rest our claims on the merits of our own case which we have developed in our Petition, and which has inspired such widespread support both within and outside Hong Kong from individuals who would not stand to gain in any direct or personal way from our success. Can HMG identify any group of persons, elsewhere in the world, who could at some notional future date be entitled to claim that the grant of British citizenship to us in fairness demanded the grant of British citizenship to them on the basis that the foundation for their claim was the same as, or materially similar, to ours? which are those groups, and what are the perceived factors of similarity? If HMG cannot identify any such groups, what, if anything, remains of this particular argument?
In his statement in Hong Kong, Mr. Renton said in relation to HMG "their minds are not closed on these issues and, having ensured that there should be no misunderstanding of the difficulties, they are ready to examine these matters further". We trust in the good faith of HMG to examine our claims fairly, by reference, in particular, to the new evidence which, we suggest, shows that HMG's previous resistance to our claims is ill-founded. We believe, that in a matter which touches upon the honour of the British Government and is an issue of such practical importance to a small group of loyal citizens, who find themselves potentially the victims of geo-political developments beyond their control, we, and members of the UK Parliament, are entitled to full and frank answers to the questions that we have put. Accordingly we look forward to an early response to this letter, which will enable us, if need be, further to marshall our case before any decisive step is taken by the laying of the Order.
As certain aspects of the above matter may also concern the Foreign Office, we are sending a copy of this letter to Sir Geoffrey Howe. We are also sending a copy to the Legislative Council of Hong Kong so that its members may have the opportunity to study our in-depth analysis of the events which have taken place recently. Finally we plan to release this to the press on Thursday 20th February.
Yours sincerely,
h.fitat.
K. Sital Vice-Presdent