TNAG-0687-FCO40-836-Disturbances-by-police-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 203

CONFIDENTIAL

20. SIR Y K KAN WILL ALSO BE MAKING A STATEMENT.

21. IT IS OUR ASSESSMENT THAT THE DECISION NOT TO GRANT ANY MORE CONCESSIONS WILL RECEIVE WIDE SUPPORT FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHICH WILL FORCE THE POLICE FORCE TO DESIST FROM ITS SUPPORT OF THE PETITIONERS. THE ENACTMENT OF THE LEGISLATION WILL ALSO CAUSE THE RANK AND FILE TO PAUSE AND CONSIDER WHETHER IT IS IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL INTERESTS TO PUT THEIR FUTURE AT RISK. THESE MEASURES HAVE A FAIR CHANCE OF SUCCESS.

WE BELIEVE

22. WE ARE MAKING CONTINGENCY PLANS IN THE EVENT THAT THE RANK AND FILE DO NOT REPORT FOR DUTY. WE DO NOT HOWEVER CONSIDER THAT WE CAN WAIT UNTIL THESE ARE COMPLETE BEFORE TAKING THE ACTION OUTLINED ABOVE.

MACLEHOSE

FILES HK & GD (5) OPA

MR CORTAZZI MR STRATTON

COPIES TO

HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE

1

-5.

CONFIDENTIAL