CONFIDENTIAL
6. I CONSIDER THAT THE CLIMATE IS SUCH THAT I SHALL HAVE TO COME TO LONDON AT A CONVENIENT OPPORTUNITY AND PREFERABLY IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 9TH MARCH TO REPRESENT THE SITUATION TO LORD CARRINGTON AND SUBSEQUENTLY MR. WHITELAW. I HAVE EMPHASISED TO UNOFFICIALS THAT BEFORE DOING SO I SHALL NEED THE UNANIMOUS ADVICE OF COUNCIL ON WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE.
7. I SHOULD ADD THAT AN UNPLEASANT UNDERTONE OF CRITICISM IS
EMERGING THAT THE EXPATRIATE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, BEING UNAFFECTED, ARE NOT DOING ENOUGH.
8. I SHOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL TO KNOW WHETHER MEETINGS WITH
MINISTERS IN THE WEEK COMMENCING 9TH MARCH COULD BE ARRANGED.
I WOULD ONLY BE ABSENT FROM HONG KONG FOR ABOUT 4 DAYS.
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I WOULD NOT WISH THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT TO HOLD UP TALKS AT
THE OFFICIAL LEVEL ABOUT CROWN SERVICE WHICH ARE TAKING PLACE BUT
IT MAY BE POLITIC TO PUT DOWN A MARKER ABOUT THE GROWING CONCERN
IN HONG KONG ABOUT THIS MEASURE GENERALLY, AND THAT FURTHER THOUGHTS WILL BE SENT FROM HONG KONG SHORTLY ABOUT HOW TO MEET IT.
10. PERSONALLY I REMAIN CONVINCED THAT IT WOULD BE MOST IMPRUDENT
TO RESPOND TO THE PRESENT MOOD BY INFLAMING IT BY PUBLICITY OR
A HIGH POSTURE, AND THAT THE BEST PROSPECT OF REASSURING THE PUBLIC LIES IN BEING ABLE TO POINT TO SOME AMENDMENTS THAT SHOW
A RESPONSE BY H.M.G. TO H.K. REPRESENTATIONS. THIS IN EFFECT
MEANS WORKING FOR AMENDMENTS THAT THE HOME OFFICE WOULD BE PREPARED TO INTRODUCE.
11. A DEMONSTRATION OF MY OWN INTERVENTION MIGHT HELP TO KEEP
THINGS ON THE RAILS, AND PROPOSALS WITHIN LIMITS THAT ARE NEGOTIABLE. IF UNOFFICIALS ALSO WISH TO VISIT LONDON, AS THEY MAY, I COULD HELP TO ENSURE THEY ACT RESPONSIBLY.
MACLEHOSE
LIMITED
HKGJ
NT3
FED. Ps
PS/LP5
PSTY BLAKËR
/S/T Lace Ps/pas
Fix à tocaĈ
M. ADAY5 7. DONALD
CPIES TO:
HONG KONG GOUT OFFICE
LONDON
CO:
2
L
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