TNAG-1564-FCO40-2129-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 5

f

good

Indians

CONFIDENTIAL

3.

The Indians' Associations are reportedly "disgusted"

and angry at the decision. They have expressed the view

that some Indians will now transfer their assets from Hong Kong. They are also said to be considering taking legal

against HMG and lodging a complaint with the

action

European

Commission

of

Human

Rights.

General

4.

A

Wider public reaction in Hong Kong seems on the whole to have been generally favourable, although with some

disappointment expressed over the ethnic minorities. number of prominent individuals in Hong Kong, one or

whom might have been expected to take a different view,

have welcomed the decisions.

one or two of

Press

5.

very full.

Factual reporting in the Hong Kong press has been

Commentaries have so far tended to focus on the

rejection of the Indians' request. Editorials in the

English language press have been critical of the decision

on ethnic minorities, but have not overlooked the

difficulty it would have caused HMG to meet their request.

Parliament

6.

There have been reports in Hong Kong of criticism of

HMG by Paddy Ashdown MP, Jack Ashley MP, Alf Dubs MP and

Lord Chitnis.

However when Dr Wilson described

the

was

Government's decision to Lord Maclehose the latter

disposed to be helpful and to suggest how the Government's

best response to the three requests could7bě presented.

CONFIDENTIAL