1989-06-26 19:08 GOVERNMENT HOUSE
BU
852 5 810 1592 P.02
THIXMA PASO EM FEMTAS
OMELCO
FINGER BEADOS FEHLEASE
TO: PAIGH, AAIE9, 10/450
From i- Duty officer I mis
나
pages in I
Monday, 26 June 1989
1
Attention News Editoras
The following statement is issued by Senior
Member of the Executive Council the Hon Dame Lydia DUNN and Senior Member of the Legislative Council the Bon Allen LEE at a press conference held today (Monday) :
"As you know, we just came back from London where we sought to put acrosa Hong Kong's case for a right of abode for Hong Kong British subjects and a safe and secure future for the people of HK.
"To explain our case to the British public, we gave a large number of interviews to radio, TV and print media, and we gave briefings to editors, local groups and organiuations, and friends of Hong Kong,
"They responded most encouragingly.
The media
gave the Bong Kong case extensive coverage, including several supportive editorials. Many members of the British public wrote or telephoned us, offering support or help. We know that many people wrote to newspapers or to MPs.
"As for the British Government, we are bound to
say that the response of the Foreign Office was disappointing. Their position was that Britain could not accept the potential of 3.25m people going to live in Britain. They said they had been looking at various ponsibilities. These include exercising more flexibility under the Nationality Act, arrangements to cater for what they call cataclysmic situations, and giving the right of
All these options abode to all 3.25m British subjects.
presented difficulties, they said. We gained the impression that they lacked a sense of urgency.
ÞO/10'd ΣE
S'I'D ZS:PT 92-90-6861