TNAG-0911-FCO40-1121-Policy-on-housing-and-resettlement-in-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 73

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VVZCZC LTX882 260920 DXA792 YY TAX

1610: PROHONGAID LONDON TO:

GIS 120/79 KADD

YAX858 26-0914 YHNELL

THIS REMINDER AND THIS ASSURANCE SHOULD NOT NORMALLY BE NEEDED. SUT THEY ARE MADE NECESSARY BY RECENT PRESS CORRESPONDENCE ABOUT THE YAU MA TEI BUAT PEOPLE -

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CORRESPONDENCE IN WHICH ALLEGATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE OF +REPRESSION +ZSUPPRESSION+, OPPRESSION+, +MANIPULATION OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM+, ZSILENCING+, OF A GROUP OF PEOPLE+, ZSTIFLING OF

OPINION+, ZPREVENTION OF DISSENT+, AND +ELIMINATION OF CHANNELS OF PROTEST+. AMONG THESE LETTERS WAS ONE IN YOUR COLUMNS FROM CHRISTINE VERTUCCI (SCM POST, FEBRUARY 2).

THERE ARE FACTS WHICH REFUTE THESE ALLEGATIONS. FOR THE SAKE OF CLARITY I SHALL, IF I MAY, GIVE THESE FACTS IN QUESTION-AND-ANSWER FORM.

WHAT SPECIAL AUTHORISATION IS NEEDED FOR SOMEONE TO PRESENT A PETITION TO THE GOVERNMENT? NONE, SO LONG AS HE PRESENTS IT HIMSELF AND NOT AS PART OF A CROWD. IT IS ONLY WHEN PUBLIC MEETINGS OR PROCESSIONS ARE INVOLVED THAT AUTHORISATION IS REQUIRED.

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