TNAG-0010-FCO40-46-Kowloon-disturbances-1986 — Page 20

CONFIDENTIAL

stated will have a major impact on local confidence. I therefore recommend strengthening the phrase on the lines "This task they must fulfil; and we have given them clear assurances of our complete support and determination to maintain our position there".

90 Your paragraph 10. It would be very desirable also to include a tribute to Hong Kong people generally, perhaps to " the indomitable spirit and unity of the people of Hong Kong in facing their present difficulties".

10. Finally I would ask whether anything can be done to correct the impression being given by constant references to the withdrawal of British Forces from the Far East, particularly in press reports. It is very possible that many of the doubts regarding the U.K.'s intentions here spring from a misinter- pretation of these statement as applying to Hong Kong.

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