He added that bills were already before Congress to
the immigration quotas from Hong Kong and he
anticipated favourable reaction in the House of Representatives
increase
He
expressed
the belief that there would be an
increase above existing levels of immigration and voiced the
hope that this would be warmly received in Hong Kong.
he answered
Asked how much support there would be in the United
States and in Congress for such a multilateral insurance policy
that it was hard to give a definitive answer as it
was an idea that was just beginning to enter the policy debate.
is that there would be some
"But my. _sense
sympathy.
I
possibility.
countries
certainly
It will
think
that it is within the realm of
depend 0 the willingness Of other
join with us.
That willingness, particularly by
the UK, would undoubtedly influence Congressional attitudes.
to
"FE it appears that other nations are prepared to
participate in a multilateral immigration insurance policy with
primary purpose of facilitating the confidence of the Hong
Kong people and contributing to a successful transition, I think
there would be great sympathy and considerable support for this
the
in the Congress.
"IF the UK were unwilling to join in I think that
would diminish the potential support for such an initiative.
"I think this an idea whose time is coming. I very
much hope that over the course of the next several months that
such discussions
be initiated with a view toward moving
could
forward on this matter on a multilateral basis If
•
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