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4
as they to to the expatriate community of British race,
But there are difficulties in all three approaches. To go on
saying that we do not disclose such matters implies that we do in
fact have plans, and constant repetition of this theme would
unquestionably be noted in Hong Kong. To try to evade the issue on
the lines of (b) and (c) above is not likely to satisfy anyone,
least of all those in the United Kingdom who would have us put
persons of British race in a special category. To my mind the
only satisfactory way of dealing with this and meeting the crucial
point of maintaining confidence in Hong Kong is a flat and robust
denial that we are planning for an evacuation.
9. I recommend therefore that:-
it
(1) all evacuation planning should be suspended for the time
being, a "crash" operation being mounted, when the occasion
arises, to evacuate as many vulnerable and sensitive persons
as we can;
(11), if necessary, we should state flatly that we are not
planning to evacuate Hong Kong, making the points in
paragraph {(c) above.
We should continue to try to avoid to questions about evacuation plans
a direct reply
but,
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