TNAG-0613-FCO40-761-Visits-of-Governor-of-Hong-Kong-to-UK-1977 — Page 18

two

was a useful safety valve.

The march was followed by a perfectly correct meeting at Police Headquarters. Immediately

afterwards there came the attack on ICAC Headquarters. The

police reaction to this was to disown and disapprove the attack. The police assessment was that the attack, while unfortunate, had brought the force to its senses and put it back on the right lines. During the next few days it was assumed that negotiations which might lead up to proposals for legal aid,

the formation of an association,

an association, etc., would be continued. The determination of the small hard-core of police criminals was underestimated. The orderly discussions went right on until quite late on Friday 4 November. At this point talk began to spread about an amnesty and the police ceasing to enforce law and order. This talk spread very fast and by

Saturday morning, 5 November, they were ready to act. Governor did not call his meeting until 3 p.m. because police

wished to be

sure of their assessments. All reported the

situation to be out of hand and they could not count on men

to

act against the dissidents on their own or

even,

The

should

The advice

An announce-

the Governor

was

the step be taken, in collaboration with the Army. by everybody, including Slevin and Cater, was there had to be an amnesty and it could be granted without damage to ICAC's

efforts. This was about 5 30 p.m. on 5 November. Terms were discussed. The Senior Unofficial member of Executive Council

was reached and he finally agreed about 8 30 p.m.

ment had to be made that evening because worried about looting and lawlessness that would follow if it was known that the police would not enforce the law. He had perhaps one hour or less before making an announcement.

There just was not time to consult London. The police were holding meetings and chanting "Police Power" slogan advocating return to police rule. The Governor apologised for not fore- seeing or preventing the development of events.

just not possible.

Consultation

His one regret was that he did not brief

the Hong Kong correspondents of the English Press. The result was that their reports were cooked up without knowledge of the

They did not reflect the Chinese language newspapers.

facts.

was

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