UNCLASSIFIED
FM PARIS
TO ROUTINE FCO
TELNO 898
OF 081759Z OCTOBER 92
INFO ROUTINE HONG KONG
UNCLASSIFIED
- MAB
Мив arly
pa.
Presentat
121456
MDLIAN 7099
TOP COPY Q DIST?
HONG KONG: FRENCH PRESS REACTION TO THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH
1.
THERE HAS BEEN GENERALLY POSITIVE FRENCH PRESS COVERAGE OF MR PATTEN'S SPEECH TO LEGCO ON 7 OCTOBER. FIGARO AND LIBERATION THIS MORNING CARRIED REPORTS OF THE SPEECH, NOTING WITH APPROVAL THE GOVERNOR'S PLANS FOR BROADENING THE DEMOCRATIC BASE IN HONG KONG. FIGARO SAW THE SPEECH AS A 'DECLARATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WAR' ON CHINA. THERE WAS NO SUGGESTION THAT THE REFORMS DID NOT GO FAR ENOUGH. BOTH PAPERS PRAISED THE GOVERNOR PERSONALLY, LIBERATION DUBBING HIM 'THE NEW STRONG MAN OF HONG KONG'.
2.
IN SLIGHT CONTRAST, THE EDITORIAL IN THIS AFTERNOON'S LE MONDE ALSO PRAISES MR PATTEN'S COURAGE AND INGENUITY, BUT STRONGLY CRITICISES PREVIOUS BRITISH POLICY ON HONG KONG. IT ACCUSES THE 'CHINESE LOBBY' AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE OF HAVING GIVEN IN TO CHINESE DEMANDS TOO EASILY IN THE PAST. LE MONDE WARNS THAT IF THE GOVERNOR IS FORCED TO WITHDRAW OR SUBSTANTIALLY TO MODIFY HIS PROPOSALS AFTER HIS VISIT TO CHINA, THE UK WILL LOSE ALL CREDIBILITY IN THE COLONY AND WILL IN EFFECT HAVE ABANDONED REAL POWER TO PEKING.
FERGUSSON
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
.HK POLICY
HKD
PUSD
FED
68
LEGAL ADVISERS//MS BARRETT
.AND MS BROOKS
DISTRIBUTION
72
RAD
WED
PS
PS/MR GOODLAD
SIR J COLES
MR APPLEYARD
PAGE
1
UNCLASSIFIED