CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 3683
OF 30100OZ SEPTEMBER 87
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
FINAL PART OF TWO
CONFIDENTIAL
ΜΙΡΤ : GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS TO LEGCO
oilo
131461
MDHIAN 5289
TOP Q DIST ?
OPY
SECTIONS OF REVISED DRAFT REFERRED TO IN MIPT ARE AS FOLLOWS
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THE GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM BEAR A HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FACT OF THIS CONTINUING EXODUS OF DESPAIR WHICH AFFECTS NOT JUST US BUT ALSO ALL THE COUNTRIES OF SOUTH EAST ASIA IT IS CLEAR THAT WHAT WE NEED IS A LONG TERM SOLUTION WHICH DEALS WITH THE PROBLEM AT ITS
SOURCE. THIS CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED BY A CO-OPERATIVE EFFORT BY A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES. IT CERTAINLY CANNOT BE SOLVED BY HONG KONG ALONE. IT ALSO REQUIRES THE COOPERATION OF THE AUTHORITIES IN VIETNAM ITSELF. SO FAR THE GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM HAVE SAID NO MORE THAN THAT
THEY ARE PREPARED TO CONSIDER REPATRIATION ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT THIS IS A VERY RESTRICTIVE DEFINITION. I CAN ASSURE HONOURABLE MEMBERS THAT WE AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM WHICH HAS BEEN WITH US FOR FAR TOO LONG. BUT IT WILL REQUIRE A GREAT DEAL OF TIME AND
PATIENT DIPLOMACY TO ACHIEVE RESULTS.
THE STRUCTURE AND MACHINERY OF GOVERNMENT
150. IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT, IN PURSUING ITS MANY AND VARIED TASKS, THE GOVERNMENT'S CONSTANT CONCERN IS TO ACT IN THE OVERALL BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG. THIS MEANS, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, MAINTAINING A FRAMEWORK OF SOUND ADMINISTRATION WHICH IS STABLE AND
RELIEABLE AND YET REMAINS RESPONSIVE TO THE CHANGING NEEDS OF COCIETY. ONLY IN THIS WAY CAN WE HOPE TO ENSURE THAT OUR POLICIES
AND ACTIONS CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THE APPROVAL AND SUPPORT OF THE
COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT
151. IT IS IN LINE WITH THIS PHILOSOPHY THAT THE STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT AND THE ROLES AND COMPOSITION OF ITS VARIOUS COMPONENTS
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