CONFIDENTIAL
024066
MDHIAN
7
WITHOUT HAVING CLEAR VIEWS ON WHAT THESE SHOULD BE.
THE U.K.
21.
MOST OF THE COMMUNITY FELT REASSURED AT THE CONTINUITY PROVIDED BY THE RE-ELECTION OF A CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO WORKING WITHIN THE TERMS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. THE RAPID APPOINTMENT OF MR PATTEN AS GOVERNOR-DESIGNATE HAS ALSO REMOVED A MAJOR UNCERTAINTY. HOWEVER, THE AWARD OF MAJOR PADS CONTACTS TO U.K. FIRMS AND CONSORTIA HAS LED THE MEDIA AND POLITICAL COMMENTATORS (WITH SOME ENCOURAGEMENT FROM PEKING OFFICIALS) TO ALLEGE THAT FAVOURITISM HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BRITISH INTEREST. THIS MYTH IS WIDELY BELIEVED IN THE COMMUNITY, AS IN EARLIER YEARS WAS THE MYTH THAT HONG KONG'S RESERVES WERE BEING SIPHONED OFF THE THE U.K.
VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS
22.
THE SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS TO REVERSE THE TIDE OF VIETNAMESE MIGRATION HAVE BEEN WIDELY WELCOMED. SO FAR THIS YEAR ONLY SEVEN VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS HAVE ARRIVED IN THE TERRITORY. THE NEW AGREEMENT WITH HANOI ON MANDATORY REPATRIATION IS VIEWED AS AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD. BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE NOW EXPECT LONGSTAYING INHABITANTS OF THE CAMPS TO BE SENT HOME IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, AND ARRIVALS REMAIN STRIKINGLY LOW, THE ISSUE IS NOT, AT PRESENT, A FOCUS OF SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC ATTENTION. BUT, IF ARRIVALS INCREASED, OR THE PROGRAMME FOR RETURNING NEW REFUGEES FALTERED, INTEREST AND CONCERN WOULD QUICKLY RESURFACE.
WILSON
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
19
HKD
NEWS D
NNNN
DISTRIBUTION
19
PS/MR GOODLAD
PAGE
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CONFIDENTIAL