CONFIDENTIAL
7
retire with their pensions in 1997.
Depending on the
wording of the statement it may play into China's hands and
be seen as reinforcing their belief that overseas officers
have no interest in Hong Kong and its future and they
should only take account of "local compatriots".
12.
The publicity is of course aimed at HMG rather
extent this will have an effect is
than HKG but to what
difficult to assess.
other
major
issues
It may be that there are too many
concerning UK parliamentarians
at
present for this to become a major political issue.
Points for Consideration
13.
The following need to be addressed :-
(a)
how is HMG to respond to the publicity;
(b)
how is HKG to respond to the publicity; and
Not a
(c)
dispute yet.
when and how should we approach the Chinese.
(It should be borne in mind this is essentially
a dispute between HMOCS officers and HMG.)
Civil Service Branch
24 July 1991
0009M
CONFIDENTIAL