CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO
1766
OF 311015Z MAY 89
CONFIDENTIAL
HKB 243/4
1
17
142463 MDHIAN 7050
TOP COPY Q DIST ?
PERSONAL FOR MCLAREN, AUSS FROM GOVERNOR
-attached.
YOUR TELNO 1140/ VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: EXCO APPEAL TO THE PRIME MINISTER
I TAKE YOUR POINT (IN PARA 4 OF TUR) ABOUT THE DIFFICULTY OF A MINISTERIAL DECISION ON EXCO'S REQUEST BEFORE OD ON 8 JUNE. BUT IF ARRIVALS CONTINUE AT ANYTHING LIKE THE PRESENT RATE I THINK IT WOULD BE RIGHT FOR EXCO TO HAVE SOME INTERIM RESPONSE FROM MINISTERS BEST WOULD BE AN INTERIM RESPONSE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER EXPRESSING SYMPATHY FOR HONG KONG'S DIFFICULTIES, EXPLAINING THAT HMG WERE WORKING HARD ON POSITIVE REMEDIES AND INICATING AREAS WHERE HMG HAVE ALREADY DECIDED TO HELP (EG TENTS AND FINANCE, ON WHICH I AM TELEGRAPHING SEPARATELY), AND SAYING A FULLER RESPONSE WOULD BE G-I-VEN AFTER THE MINISTERIAL MEETING THE PM HAS CALLED URGENTLY FOR 8 JUNE.
2. A SECOND OPTION WOULD BE A MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO THE SAME EFFECT AND SENT WITH THE PRIME MINISTER'S AUTHORITY.
3. IT IS I BELIEVE IMPORTANT THAT AT EXCO NEXT WEEK I SHOULD BE ABLE TO SHOW DIRECT EVIDENCE OF THE VERY REAL CONCERN WITH WHICH MINISTERS ARE TACKLING THE PRESENT SITUATION. AFTER ALL WE ARE NOW FACING A DAILY CRISIS OF WHOSE ADVENT, IF NOT EXTENT, YOU HAVE LONG BEEN FOREWARNED. I WOULD NOT WISH TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION HERE THAT MINISTERS CANNOT RESPOND QUICKLY IN FACE OF SUCH EVENTS.
WILSON
YYYY
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