XN000022-1989-07-04 — Page 18

TUESDAY, JULY 4, 1989

FOREIGN SECRETARY GIVES PRESS CONFERENCE

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THE FOLLOWING IS A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE GIVEN TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE :

SIR GEOFFREY (OPENING STATEMENT): MY LATEST VISIT HERE HAS BEEN OF VERY GREAT VALUE, WHEN I ARRIVED 1 SAID THAT I WOULD LISTEN AS WELL AS EXPLAIN. OVER THE LAST THREE DAYS I HAVE MANAGED TO MEET A VERY WIDE RANGE OF PEOPLE.

MY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND HIS ADVISERS HAVE BEEN, AS YOU WOULD EXPECT. OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE. I HAVE ALSO TALKED TO MANY OTHER PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE, INCLUDING SOME OF THOSE WHO HAVE LED DEMONSTRATIONS DURING MY VISIT.

I HAVE ALSO HAD A CHANCE TO SEE SOMETHING OF THE WAY IN WHICH HONG KONG IS CONTINUING TO DEVELOP ITS FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE, BY VISITING THE SPLENDID NEW CONVENTION CENTRE AND THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.

DURING MY MEETINGS I HAVE EXPRESSED MY ADMIRATION FOR THE FORTITUDE WITH WHICH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE RESPONDED TO RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA. I PAY PARTICULAR TRIBUTE ΤΟ THE DEDICATION OF THOSE IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE.

I HAVE, OF COURSE, BEEN DEEPLY IMPRESSED BY THE VERY GREAT SENSE OF ANXIETY. ABOVE ALL ON THE QUESTION OF NATIONALITY AND RIGHT OF ABODE. I HAVE EXPLAINED HOW THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT SEES MATTERS. AND HOW WE CAN REALISTICALLY TRY TO RESPOND TO LOCAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROSPECTS FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

SOME OF WHAT I HAVE HAD TO SAY HAS NOT BEEN WELCOME. BUT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DISHONEST OF ME TO PROMISE WHAT NO BRITISH GOVERNMENT WE SHOULD NOT CAN DELIVER; TO ISSUE INSURANCE POLICIES FOR ALL THAT BE ABLE TO HONOUR.

BEST

TO BUT I HAVE ALSO WANTED

REAFFIRM THE VIEW, WHICH IS IN SUBSTANCE COMMON GROUND. THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION. WITH ITS PROSPECT OF THE GREATEST POSSIBLE AUTONOMY, REMAINS THE FOUNDATION FOR HONG KONG'S FUTURE. INDEED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE JOINT DECLARATION HAS BEEN HEIGHTENED BY WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN CHINA.

OF

I, AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AS A WHOLE, WILL TAKE ACCOUNT THE CHANGED MOOD IN HONG KONG IN WHAT WE SAY AND DO OVER THE COMING MONTHS. I SHALL BE GOING BACK TO LONDON WITH SEVEN POINTS PARTICULARLY IN MIND.

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