TNAG-1411-FCO40-1887-Future-of-Hong-Kong--Hong-Kong-a-Change-of-Destiny---despatc-1985 — Page 29

CONFIDENTIAL

DSR 11C

5.

We all here

acknowledge what you say in your

despatch about the role of Hong Kong Unofficials.

officials in the negotiations.

and

The Unofficials. were put

in a particularly difficult position

Course

were

the

people

confidentiality of the

throughout, as of

of Hong Kong

themselves,

by

the

negotiations.

The Unofficials

undoubtedly fought hard

best interests of Hong Kong. Some time s this led to a

for what they perceived as the

your

certain amount of tension with

own

role

but the negotiators,

in handling the advice which you received

ensured that there was never an outright split.

6.

There

now

remains

a

lot of hard work

ahead of

us on

and a

such issues as the treaties affecting Hong Kong,

decisions, such as that on the run

number

of difficult

down of the garrison. Ministers will continue to take

of Hong Kong in mind.

decisions with the best interests

We will continue to stand up to the Chinese on behalf of

this

is

necessary.

No

one here

is

in

any

Hong Kong when

doubt about the difficulties ahead. I am sure there will

be

squalls.

But

our overriding objective will

always

remain to

ensure

transition which a

is

both

smooth

and

which will

allow

enjoy prosperity,

stability

the people of Hong Kong to

and the

continue

to

lifestyle they are

used to for 50 years after 1997.

CONFIDENTIAL