File No.:
Fax No. : SF 234
SFG 4/2
TO ! M(W)
From:
Rept SASI D(SF) (Johnson)
D(NY)
Date:
April 8, 1988.
1
Martin Lee's Visit
I spoke yesterday to Alvin Rabushka about Martin Lee's
He apparently gave his appearance at Stanford on 29 March. standard pro direct elections/pro democracy speech to an audience of about 150, mainly Hong Kong Chinese students and emigrants to the West Coast, but including some from Taiwan and the PRC and some Caucasians. The speech was apparently well received, as might have been expected.
2.
I have also spoken to Woo Chia-wei about the UCLA
Martin Lee again gave what appears Symposium on Easter Saturday. to have been much the same speech. Lee Yee spoke about the
Woo Chia-wei said that he challenged shortcomings in the Basic Law. them over a number of points, somewhat to their displeasure apparently, and that the session was not entirely one sided. There were around 350 present, mostly Hong Kong Chinese students.
3.
There does not seem to have been anything particularly
It does, however, unexpected or remarkable about these events. appear that the audiences were much larger on the West than on the East Coast, and that generally speaking they contained a higher proportion of people who are sceptical about Hong Kong's prospects. This is not surprising given the general slant of academic opinion and the number of recent emigrants and students from Hong Kong here. Although the politicians, businessmen etc. on the West Coast that I have met so far are generally sympathetic and understanding, and appear to be optimistic for the most part, I am concerned about the possible long term corrosive effect on confidence of the more negative attitudes being expressed by others here. Although we obviously do not have the resources to take our message to the man in the street, I feel that some response to this is desirable, even necessary. I suggest that we discuss this in the context of SASI's draft review of overseas PR just received.