CONFIDENTIAL
the Government's actions have effectively taken away their support amongst the rank and file. The Chinese Government appear to be tacitly supporting the Hong Kong Government's line and there is
no evidence that either the Nationalists or any other significant
organized group in Hong Kong intends to exploit the situation to
make trouble.
7. In the meantime, the Governor has finally accepted that there is a communications gap between the police rank and file and senior officers, and is proposing steps to deal with it (see separate brief). Public confidence in the police will no doubt be strengthened in the long-run, if police morale and performance
are seen to improve. Confidence in ICAC will similarly be
restored when it is seen to be continuing resolutely to pursue
those not covered by the amnesty. The fact that the Governor has
confirmed that he has no intention of letting Mr Cater stand down
in the immediate future is reassuring.
Talking Points
9. (i) Lord Goronwy-Roberts may like to seek the Governor's
latest views on the general position in the Hong Kong Police,
in particular on the attitude now being taken by the militants and on the likelihood of their being able to stir up any further trouble;
10.
(ii) The Minister may also wish to consider expressing our concern that, not only were we not consulted before the amnesty was announced, but we were not even kept informed of developments between the march to police headquarters on 28 October (at which stage the idea of an amnesty had not even been raised), and the meeting of the Security Committee on 5 November, when it was decided that the situation had deteriorated to such an extent that major concessions, including the amnesty, had to be made as a matter of the utmost urgency;
(iii) Notwithstanding this, the Minister may wish to repeat the assurance given in the House of Lords of HMG's general support for the Governor, and stress the importance we attach
to ICAC's continuing to operate.
The Overseas Police Adviser concurs.
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