TNAG-0633-FCO40-781-Effect-of-GATT-Multi-Fibre-Arrangement-on-Hong-Kong-negotiat-1977 — Page 8

5281,2

*A DEC 1977

HKK 121/616/1

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OHERE REPETI

HERE REPEITON

TC LTX516 231104 DXD937 YBX73, UU TWX

1102 : PROHONGAID LONDON ONE:

GIS 462/77 COMMISSIONER EXDIS

(PLEASE ALSO COPY TO JOHN STEWART)

DEX

FOLLOWING ARE LEADERS PUBLISHED TODAY IN SCMP ENTITLED +HONG KONG LET DOWN BY BRITAIN+ AND IN STAR HEADLINED GOOD

CUSTOMER+:

SOND

IT IS HARD TO RECALL AN OCCASION IN RECENT HISTORY WHEN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN SO WIDELY AND SHARPLY CRITICISED BY HONGKONG BUSINESSMEN, AND PARTICULARLY TEXTILE INTERESTS, AS IN THE PERIOD FOLLOWING THE EEC NEGOTIATIONS IN BRUSSELS OVER THE EXTENSION OF IMPORT RESTRICTIONS.

IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY, MR FRANCIS TIEN VOICED THESE FEELINGS OF DISMAY IN THE COURSE OF THREE QUESTIONS TO #HICH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY REPLIED.

THE INDIGNATION FELT BY HONGKONG IS NOT LIKELY TO MAKE MUCH IMPRESSION IN LONDON BUT IT IS CERTAINLY RIGHT THAT IT SHOULD BE EXPRESSED FOR THIS IS BUT PART OF A GROWING DISENCHANTMENT WITH THE WAY BRITAIN IS FAILING TO EXERCISE ITS RESPONSIBILITIES TO THIS TERRITORY.

MORE /WK

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