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CONFIDENTIAL
8.
I apologise for the length of this letter, but the background is of course slightly involved. The issue is nonetheless an important one in terms both of Hong Kong's post-1997 constitutional arrangements and of the way Hong Kong people come to view the Chinese garrison in their midst after the handover. There are thus clear implications for Hong Kong confidence in the way we decide to handle this potential problem before then. I should be grateful if you would ask the relevant MOD authorities to examine it on this basis, and let us have your views in due course?
Us fu Clita
CE LEEKS
Hong Kong Department
tment
CONFIDENTIAL