TNAG-1238-FCO40-1551-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 128

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FROM RESPONDING TO THE RISING PUBLIC DEMAND FOR INFORMATION ON

WHAT IS GOING ON, WITH CONSEQUENT ACCUSATIONS OF PASSIVITY, LACK

OF LEADERSHIP AND SO ON. THIS HAS TO BE TOLERATED IN THE SHORT

TERM BUT UNLESS THERE IS SOMETHING TO SHOW FOR THE PATIENCE WE

HAVE ENJOINED ON THE PUBLIC, THE POINT WILL BE REACHED AT WHICH

THE CREDIBILITY OF THE ADMINISTRATION WILL BE CALLED IN QUESTION.

6. IN SHORT, EVERYONE IS NOW LOOKING FOR PROGRESS OR AT LEAST

SIGNS OF GREATER ACTIVITY THAN OVER THE PAST NINE MONTHS. IF THE

CURRENT DISCUSSIONS IN PEKING LEAD TO AN EARLY START OF SUBSTANTIVE

TALKS AND I ATTEND, THIS WILL BE INTERPRETED AS EVIDENCE THAT THE

LOG JAM HAS BEEN BROKEN. PROVIDED THE ACCOMPANYING ATMOSPHERICS

ARE RIGHT THE EFFECT ON CONFIDENCE SHOULD BE FAVOURABLE BUT

CONTINUING EVIDENCE OF PROGRESS WILL BE REQUIRED AND IF NOTHING

MUCH IS SEEN TO BE HAPPENING THE GLOOM IS LIKELY TO DEEPEN. THE

NEXT SIX MONTHS ARE THEREFORE LIKELY TO BE CRUCIAL FOR THE FUTURE

OF HONG KONG. HMG'S CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO THE TERRITORY WILL

BE VERY IMPORTANT AND PEOPLE HERE WILL BE LOOKING FOR EVIDENCE

THAT THEIR FUTURE REMAINS HIGH ON THE AGENDA OF MINISTERS IN

LONDON.

YOUDE

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FUTURE OF HONG KONG

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