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017146 MDHOAN 6618
FOREIGN NATIONALITY IF THEY SO DESIRE (JUST AS THERE CAN BE NO QUESTION OF PREVENTING PEOPLE FROM LEAVING HONG KONG IF THAT IS THEIR WISH).
BUT THE KEY TO HONG KONG'S FUTURE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY IS THE PRESERVATION OF CONFIDENCE IN THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE: MEASURES WHICH IMPLIED A LACK OF FAITH IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND HONG KONG'S POST 1997 FUTURE COULD SERVE TO UNDERMINE THAT CONFIDENCE. THAT WOULD HELP NEITHER HONG KONG NOR FRENCH
INTERESTS IN THE TERRITORY.
-
WE THEREFORE HOPE THAT THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT WOULD WEIGH UP THE PROS AND CONS VERY CAREFULLY IF THERE WERE ANY QUESTION OF PROCEEDING WITH THE SORT OF SCHEME FORESHADOWED IN THE FIGARO ARTICLE
GRATEFUL FOR YOUR VIEWS.
4.
HOWE
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
49
.HONG KONG AGREEMENT
a
(RESTRICTED)
LIMITED
HKD
HD/FED
RESEARCH (FE)
ADDITIONAL
3
DISTRIBUTION
52
PUSD
PS/LORD GLENARTHUR
PS/MR EGGAR
PS/PUS
MR MCLAREN
MR GILLMORE
MR EDWARDS LEGAL ADVISERS
MR WHOMERSLEY LEGAL ADVISERS
MR FIFOOT HKD
NNNN
2
PAGE
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