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17.
We shall, of course, thread a way as warily as circumstances will permit through all these problems, and I am as confident as one can be that we shall be able to do so successfully. But if any should go badly wrong, or too many go fairly wrong simultaneously, the cry of Government ignoring the will and wishes of the people will once again arise and may quite well lead to some undesirable form of public excitement. It is a risk which I fear I must say faces during the next few months. There is little enough, I am afraid, you can do to help us, except to try to see that HMG is aware of the situation, and takes it into account in their relations with us.
18.
One factor which is in a sense on the credit side is that the Communists, while certain to go fishing in any troubled waters, are unlikely to join in violently or even very openly; unless of course things get too much out of hand and they feel they cannot be left out. But I emphasize I do not believe things will come to this. Tea-cup storms perhaps ; but we should be able to prevent anything worse.
19.
As a final footnote, the quite extensive training in dealing with bombs (although on a "first aid" level) which has been given to a very considerable number of olice (and some other) officers since 1967 proved of great value. Royal Hong Kong Police resources, although busy enough, were never overstrained in dealing with these incidents.
Yuns ever Что
David.
Sir Leslie Monson, KCMG, CB, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, London, S.W.1.
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