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TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1993
of all, is discharging that responsibility a value-free zone? If it is not, if there are values which we have to hold on to, I would guess that at least a minimum value is that we should try to ensure that the last election held under British sovereignty are clean and fair and not rigged.
The second question we have to answer is, if from time to time, the United Kingdom has a bottom line, should it allow that bottom line to sag every time others disagree with where we have drawn it? I think, if that is one's attitude to bottom lines
then it is better not to have bottom lines at all.
Discharging our responsibilities to Hong Kong, a uniquely different task to our other colonial responsibilities, faces us with a long agenda of arduous choices. In order to make those choices in the best long-term interests of the people of Hong
Kong, it is important to remember from time to time the
importance both of bottom line and of values. If we do that, I am sure we will be able to discharge those responsibilities decently and competently and honourably
(Acplause)
/QUESTIONS. AND