SECRET
047743
MDHIAN 12511
THERE WAS NO PUBLIC OFFICERS AGREEMENT THEREIN.
4. THE CHAIRMAN STRESSED THAT THE ASSOCIATION SAW THE
RESPONSIBILITY FOR HMOCS AS ONE FOR HMG. SOVEREIGNTY WOULD BE TRANSFERRED IN 1997, WHEN HMOCS OFFICERS WOULD LOSE THE PROTECTION OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE. THEY WERE ENTITLED TO THE SAME DEGREE OF PROTECTION AS THAT ACCORDED TO THEIR HMOCS COLLEAGUES ELSEWHERE. IT WAS NOW MANY YEARS SINCE THE JOINT DECLARATION AND BARONESS YOUNG'S STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS THAT APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD NEED TO BE DRAWN UP FOR HMOCS OFFICERS IN HONG KONG IN RECOGNITION OF THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY AND THAT CONSULTATION WOULD BE REQUIRED. HMOCS OFFICERS HAD BEEN VERY PATIENT, BUT FURTHER DELAY WAS UNACCEPTABLE. THE PENSION OPTION DEADLINE OF 30 JUNE 1992 WAS FAST APPROACHING. OFFICERS NEEDED TO HAVE SIGHT NOW OF THE ARRANGEMENTS PROPOSED FOR HMOCS.
5. THE CHAIRMAN SAID THAT PUBLICITY LOCALLY WOULD BE UNHELPFUL. HMOCS WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HMG. LOCAL MEDIA COVERAGE HAD UNFORTUNATE CHINA IMPLICATIONS AND COULD AFFECT RELATIONS WITH LOCAL COLLEAGUES. HE ADDED THAT THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE HAD ALREADY APPROACHED MPS WITH A VIEW TO INITIATING PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS. (AS YOU ARE AWARE, OSPA IS ALSO TRYING TO HAVE A PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION ASKED ON THE STERLING SAFEGUARDS ISSUE.) THE ASSOCIATION WOULD GIVE NO MEDIA COMMENTS LOCALLY AND IF PRESSED WOULD ONLY SAY, 'THIS IS A MATTER BETWEEN HMG AND THE HMOCS OFFICERS INVOLVED. WE HAVE NO COMMENTS, BUT YOU MIGHT WISH TO ASK THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN'.
6. SCS THEN ADDRESSED THE MEETING MAKING MAXIMUM USE OF THE
GENERAL LINE IN TUR AND THE STATEMENT BY LORD CAITHNESS IN JULY 1991. HE STRESSED THAT THE HKG HAD PRESSED HMG ON THIS ISSUE, AND THAT THE IMPORTANCE OF AN EARLY DECISION WAS APPRECIATED. HE EXPLAINED THAT CONSIDERATION HAD ENTERED A NEW PHASE WITH THE VISIT OF THE WHITEHALL TEAM IN DECEMBER. HE COULD NOT SAY WHEN A DECISION WOULD BE TAKEN, BUT HOPED THIS WOULD BE SOON. THE HKG REMAINED FULLY COMMITTED TO SECURING AN EARLY DECISION ON THE ISSUE.
7. THE MEETING THEN DEALT WITH MATTERS RELATING TO THE ASSOCIATIONS CONSTITUTION, AND AGREED TO HOLD A FURTHER GENERAL MEETING ON 26 MARCH. SCS WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND WITH THE HOPE, IF NOT EXPECTATION, THAT HE WILL BE IN A POSITION TO ANNOUNCE THE HMOCS ARRANGEMENTS TO BE INTRODUCED BY HMG.