CONFIDENTIAL
THE FALKLAND ISLANDERS HAVE RECEIVED BRITISH CITIZENSHIP: WHY NOT
THE HONG KONG PEOPLE?
5.
The constitutional, historical and geographical circumstances
are quite different. Hong Kong people who are British Dependent
Territories citizens on the date of Hong Kong's change of status
will retain an appropriate status after that date which will entitle
them to continue to use British passports. The two cases are
different for historical, legal and other reasons.
RELEVANCE FOR POLICY ON FALKLAND ISLANDS
6.
In the case of Hong Kong negotiations were inevitable because of
the expriy of the New Territories lease. Talks on the Falkland Islands were in progress when Argentina invaded. The Berne talks broke down when Argentina did not respect the agreed basis for them
and introduced a new condition about sovereignty.
RELEVANCE FOR POLICY ON GIBRALTAR
7. The two cases are different for historical, legal and other reasons. In the case of Hong Kong negotiations were inevitable because of the expiry of the New Territories lease. In the case of
Gibraltar we have reached agreement with the Spanish Government on the framework for managing our differences in the Lisbon statement
of 1980.
WILL CHINESE STICK TO AGREEMENT?
8.
•
Formal and binding international agreement to which both sides have strongest incentives to adhere. No reason to believe that Chinese Government will breach an agreement they have freely entered into. China is justifiably proud of its record in meeting obligations under international agreements.
WHAT IF CHINESE BREACH AGREEMENT?
9.
Breach of a legally binding international agreement would be a most serious matter, in our own eyes and no doubt in those of international community as a whole. We would of course make the strongest possible representations to the Chinese government in
order to seek a remedy.
CONFIDENTIAL
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