CONFIDENTIAL
6. CLEARANCE OPERATIONS STARTED TODAY AND THREE INDIVIDUAL CONFRONTATIONS WITH THE POLICE OCCURRED. GENERALLY ALL WENT WELL
AND THERE WERE TWO MINOR INJURIES, ON HANDS AND FINGERS, TO RESIDENTS. HOWEVER, THE POLICE FOUND IT NECESSARY TO USE CHEMICAL MACE TO SUBDUE ONE WOMAN AFTER SHE HAD ATTACKED AND INJURED TWO HOUSING OFFICIALS AND THREE WOMEN POLICE OFFICERS WITH BOTTLES AND
AN IRON BAR. SHE WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED BUT REFUSED MEDICAL ATTENTION, SHE HAS NOT BEEN DETAINED.
7. OUTSIDE INFLUENCE AND SUPPORT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE REJECTED THE GOVERNMENT OFFERS OF COMPENSATION IS VERY LIMITED. MRS ELLIOTT
HAS TAKEN SOME INTEREST IN THE CASE AND WAS PRESENT AT THE INCIDENT REPORTED IN PARAGRAPH 5. MR ROBERT PARRY WAS ALSO INTERESTED BUT HE IS OUT OF HONG KONG AND DOES NOT RETURN UNTIL
5TH SEPTEMBER, LATEST INDICATIONS ARE THAT HE, AT LEAST, DOES NOT WISH TO BECOME TOO CLOSELY INVOLVED AGAIN. TWO OTHER MP'S ARE DUE TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG THIS WEEK AND THE AFFAIR IS EXPECTED TO BE BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION.
8. ALTHOUGH OUR GENERAL ASSESSMENT IS THAT THE OPPOSITION IS LIKELY TO DISSIPATE, THE POSSIBILITY OF FURTHER TROUBLE STILL EXISTS, PARTICULARLY IN THESE EARLY STAGES OF THE OPERATION. OFFERS WILL CONTINUE TO BE MADE TO HELP THE VERY FEW REMAINING TENANTS TO MOVE TO NEW ACCOMMODATION AND TO PERSUADE THE
REMAINING OWNERS TO SETTLE FOR COMPENSATION IN THE HOPE OF MINIMI- SING THE NEED FOR FURTHER PHYSICAL EVICTIONS.
9. WE SHALL KEEP YOU INFORMED OF PROGRESS.
MACLEHOSE
FILE S: H K & G D (6)
MR HALL
MR MURRAY
COPIES TO:
HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE
LONDON
2
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.