TNAG-0741-FCO40-945-Relations-between-China-and-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 71

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5. IN THE SHORT TERM WE BEL IVE THAT THE FATE OF THE 180 OFFICERS

IMPLICATED IN THE YAUMATEI CASE WILL DOMINATE THE WORK OF THE

NEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. THE FATE OF THOSE CONCERNED CONTINUES TO AROUSE CONSIDERABLE EMOTIONAL SYMPATHY AMONGST RANK AND FILE ~MEMBERS OF THE FORCE. ALTHOUGH THERE IS SOME FEELING IN THE

COMMITTEE THAT THE ASSOCIATION SHOULD NOT BE SPENDING ITS TIME

ON THIS CASE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE GENERAL WELFARE OF MEMBERS,

EVEN THE MORE MODERATE CANNOT AFFORD TO IGNORE THIS PRESSURE.

CONSEQUENTLY WE CANNOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE JPO A

WILL DO SOMETHING FOOLISH TO SUPPORT THE YAUMATEI GROUP.

NEVERTHELESS, AS AT THE END OF FEBRUARY, WE BELIEVE THAT UNLAWFUL

ACTION WOULD NOT RECEIVE WIDESPREAD SUPPORT WITHIN THE FORCE

AS A WHOLE.

FCO PSE PASS SAVINGS WELLINGTON

MACLEHOSE

[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]

FILES:

H K & G D(5)

FED

PUSD

OID

IPD

RES D

DEFENCE D

OLA

OPA

SIR A. DUFF

MR CORTAZZI

MK MURRAY

5=

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