TNAG-1821-FCO40-2584-Emigration-from-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 38

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017146 MDHOAN 6618

FOREIGN NATIONALITY IF THEY SO DESIRE (JUST AS THERE CAN BE NO QUESTION OF PREVENTING PEOPLE FROM LEAVING HONG KONG IF THAT IS THEIR WISH).

BUT THE KEY TO HONG KONG'S FUTURE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY IS THE PRESERVATION OF CONFIDENCE IN THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE: MEASURES WHICH IMPLIED A LACK OF FAITH IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND HONG KONG'S POST 1997 FUTURE COULD SERVE TO UNDERMINE THAT CONFIDENCE. THAT WOULD HELP NEITHER HONG KONG NOR FRENCH

INTERESTS IN THE TERRITORY.

-

WE THEREFORE HOPE THAT THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT WOULD WEIGH UP THE PROS AND CONS VERY CAREFULLY IF THERE WERE ANY QUESTION OF PROCEEDING WITH THE SORT OF SCHEME FORESHADOWED IN THE FIGARO ARTICLE

GRATEFUL FOR YOUR VIEWS.

4.

HOWE

YYYY

ΜΑΙΝ

49

.HONG KONG AGREEMENT

a

(RESTRICTED)

LIMITED

HKD

HD/FED

RESEARCH (FE)

ADDITIONAL

3

DISTRIBUTION

52

PUSD

PS/LORD GLENARTHUR

PS/MR EGGAR

PS/PUS

MR MCLAREN

MR GILLMORE

MR EDWARDS LEGAL ADVISERS

MR WHOMERSLEY LEGAL ADVISERS

MR FIFOOT HKD

NNNN

2

PAGE

CONFIDENTIAL