TNAG-1499-FCO40-2057-Guangdong-nuclear-power-station-project-at-Daya-Bay-safety-c-1986 — Page 11

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must, I

possible

mmediate response to the Governor's concerns

suggest, be to continue providing the fullest

support to the Hong Kong Government

in

its

present difficult position. We must organise a vigorous

campaign of information and counter-briefings on the

issues raised in public debate. We must demonstrate to

the Hong Kong Government, and enable them to demonstrate

to a nervous and volatile population, that we are aware

of our responsibilities towards the community; that we

are fully communicating local

anxieties

to

the

governments and enterprises concerned; and that all

possible

is being done to inform and reassure Hong Kong

people. We must also do all we can to foster a more

balanced attitude in Hong Kong to the case for nuclear

power: Peter Walker's keynote speech on the issue has

already been used there to good effect.

8.

The planned series of briefings and consultations

should help make Hong Kong people better aware of the

facts regarding reactor safety. But reactions to nuclear

power are not entirely rational, and it would be wrong to

under-estimate the depth of public feeling in the

territory. The

debate on the

Governor

adjournment.

suggested last week that the

in the Legislative Council

could well not be the end of the matter: before the LEGCO

session finished at the end of July there could be calls

for a further debate on a motion to the effect that no

nuclear plant should be built

that the Chinese Government should be asked to reconsider

So close to Hong Kong and

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