CONFIDENTIAL FUTURE EGRET
3923
EXCO THROUGHOUT THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS WAS OF THE GREATEST
VALUE. ALL MEMBERS OF UMELCO MADE KNOWN THEIR OWN HOPES AND
FEARS AND THOSE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AS REFLECTED TO THEM.
YOUR FRANKNESS, DETERMINATION AND SENSE OF PUBLIC DUTY WAS OF
GREAT VALUE IN THE NEGOTIATIONS. I SHOULD ALSO LIKE TO PAY WARM
TRIBUTE TO THE PATIENCE AND FOREBEARANCE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG
KONG AS A WHOLE. IT CANNOT HAVE BEEN EASY FOR A COMMUNITY TO
OBSERVE ITS FUTURE BEING DISCUSSED IN CONDITIONS OF SECRECY,
HOWEVER MUCH THE TWO GOVERNMENTS INVOLVED SOUGHT TO ASSURE THEM
THAT THEY HAD HONG KONG'S BEST INTERESTS AT HEART.
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14. AT THE OUTSET OF THE NEGOTIATIONS WE AND THE CHINESE
GOVERNMENT SET OURSELVES A COMMON AIM TO MAINTAIN THE STABILITY
AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG. IT IS WORTH REMINDING OURSELVES OF
WHAT THESE OFTEN REPEATED WORDS MEAN FOR THE DAILY LIVES OF
ORDINARY MEN AND WOMEN. FOR HONG KONG STABILITY MEANS THE
ASSURANCE THAT PEOPLE MAY GO ABOUT THEIR DAILY LIVES IN SECURITY
AND FREEDOM: THAT THEIR ADMINISTRATION WILL BEHAVE RESPONSIBLY
AND WILL PROVIDE THE ESSENTIAL SOCIAL AND PUBLIC SERVICES: AND
THAT THEY MAY BOTH SEEK AND FIND REDRESS FOR ANY WRONG, WHETHER
PERPETRATED BY ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL OR BY THE GOVERNMENT. FOR HONG
KONG PROSPERITY MEANS THE RIGHT TO WORK AND TO ENJOY THE FRUITS
OF ONE'S LABOURS: TO OWN AND DISPOSE OF PROPERTY: AND TO CONTINUE
TO BENEFIT FROM POLICIES DESIGNED TO FOSTER ENTERPRISE AND
ECONOMIC GROWTH. ALL THESE FUNDAMENTAL ASPECTS OF HONG KONG LIFE
ARE PROVIDED FOR IN DETAIL IN THE AGREEMENT.
15.
A MAJOR TASK HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE SIGNING OF THE
AGREEMENT. BUT THIS IS NOT THE END OF THE ROAD. WE REMAIN
UTTERLY COMMITTED TO OUR FUTURE TASKS, AND TO THE
WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT YOU, AND ALL THE
HONG KONG PEOPLE, WILL HAVE CONFIDENCE TO SHOULDER YOUR
RESPONSIBILITIES AND GRASP THE OPPORTUNITIES WHICH LIE AHEAD.
TOGETHER WE SHALL CONTINUE THE TASK OF BUILDING A STABLE AND
PROSPEROUS FUTURE FOR HONG KONG.
HOWE
FUTURE EGRET
LIMITED
HD/HKD HD/FED MR WILSON
COPIES TO:- SIR P CRADOCK
MR BURROWS LEGAL ADVISERS . MR FIFOOT
LEGAL ADVISERS
SIR E YOUDE ROOM K 195A
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