SECRET
053
MDHIAN 8624
12.
IN PRESENTING THE SUBJECT TO THE CHIENSE WE WILL TRY TO
EMPHASISE THE PRACTICAL BENEFITS OF KEEPING ON A GROUP OF
PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING VALUABLE JOBS MAINLY IN PROFESSIONAL AREAS AND WHO ARE PREPARED TO COMMIT THEMSELVES TO HONG KONG. WITHOUT THE CHANGE, VALUABLE EXPERTISE WOULD BE LOST TO THE CIVIL SERVICE. WE WILL ALSO REMIND THE CHINESE OF THEIR ASSURANCES THAT BELOW
PRINCIPAL OFFICIAL LEVELS, EXPATRIATES WHO WISH TO STAY WOULD BE WELCOME.
TIMING.
13. THE ASSOCIATION OF EXPATRIATE CIVIL SERVANTS IS NOW MAKING INCREASINGLY CREDIBLE TRHEATS OF COURT ACTION. IT HAS IDENTIFIED A SPECIFIC CASE INVOLVING AN OFFICER WHOSE CONTRACT EXPIRES SHORTLY IN WHICH WE ARE VERY VULNERABLE. WE THEREFORE NEED TO SEEK EXCO'S ENDORSEMENT OF OUR PLANS ON 20 JULY. IF WE RECEIVE EXCO'S BLESSING WE SHALL INFORM THE CHINESE LATER IN THE SAME WEEK. WE WOULD THEN AIM TO ANNOUNCE THE CHANGE IN POLICY TO LEGCO (THE LEGCO PANEL ON PUBLIC SERVICE IS DUE TO MEET ON 29/30 JULY), STAFF ASSOCIATIONS AND THE PUBLIC TOWARDS THE END OF THE MONTH.
14. WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD LET US KNOW BEFORE 0800 (HONG KONG TIME) ON 15 JULY WHETHER YOU HAVE ANY
COMMENTS. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO MISS THE TARGET DATE FOR EXCO BECAUSE IF WE DO, WE WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY BE TAKEN TO COURT. WE MUST ISSUE THE EXCO PAPER ON 15 JULY TO ALLOW MEMBERS A REASONABLE TIME TO CONSIDER WHAT IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE.
15.
THIS IS A COMPLEX PROBLEM WITH RISKS ALL ROUND, NOT ONLY VIS A VIS THE CHINESE BUT IN TERMS OF POLARISING THE CIVIL SERVICE ALONG RACIAL LINES. SOME LEGCO MEMEBRS MAY ALSO ATTACK US IN THE BELIEF THAT WE ARE BACK-PEDALLING ON LOCALISATION. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO COME UP WITH ANY SOLUTION WHICH WILL AVOID ALL PITFALLS. WE THINK OUR PROPOSALS REPRESENT THE BEST WAY FORWARD. EVEN SO, THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT THAT WE WILL HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME AHEAD.
16. UKREP JLG HONG KONG HAS BEEN KEPT IN THE PICTURE AND GENERALLY
AGREES WITH OUR PROPOSED LINE.
PATTEN