CONFIDENTIAL
HKB 011/3
TOP COPY Q DIST?
4+29
075007
MDHIAN 2034
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 05110OZ FCO
TELNO 2230
OF 05094OZ JULY 89
STRICTLY PERSONAL FOR MCLAREN, AUSS AND PAUL, HKD FROM GOVERNOR
MIPT LEGCO DEBATE ON FAC REPORT: CHIEF SECRETARY'S SPEECH
1. MIPT CONTAINS TEXT OF THE SPEECH WHICH THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL MAKE IN CONCLUDING THIS AFTERNOON'S LEGCO DEBATE ON THE FAC REPORT.
2. ONE OBJECTIVE OF THE SPEECH IS TO LEAD PEOPLE GENTLY TOWARDS ACCEPTING THAT SOMETHING LESS THAN OUR REQUEST FOR RIGHT OF ABODE FOR ALL BDTCS IS GOING TO EMERGE AND THAT, HOPING IT WILL BE SUFFICIENTLY GENEROUS, WE SHOULD BE PREPARED TO ACCEPT IT. IN DOING THIS HE MUST OF COURSE REPEAT WHAT WE HAVE SAID BEFORE ABOUT OUR HOPE THAT MORE THAN THIS WOULD BE DONE AND TAKE ISSUE WITH COUNTER ARGUMENTS PRODUCED BY THE FAC. YOU WILL NOTICE THAT THE SPEECH CAREFULLY AVOIDS TAKING DIRECT ISSUE WITH WHAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAID WHILE HERE. IT ALSO POINTS TO THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING BRITISH SUPPORT FOR HONG KONG IN THE YEARS AHEAD AND TO THE NEED FOR CARE IN THE WAY POINTS OF VIEW ARE EXPRESSED HERE LEST WE PREJUDICE THIS ΑΙΜ.
3. OTHERS IN THE DEBATE ARE ALL TOO LIKELY TO BE LESS CIRCUMSPECT AND MORE STRIDENT. BUT, AS AN ADMINISTRATION, I SEE IT AS IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOULD TRY TO SELECT THE RIGHT TIGHTROPE BETWEEN RETAINING CREDIBILITY BY PUTTING FORWARD OUR OWN POINT OF VIEW ON AN ISSUE WHERE THE COMMUNITY FEELS VERY STRONGLY, AND NOT INDULGING IN GRATUITOUS CRITICISM OF HMG. DOUBTLESS, SOME HERE WILL SAY THAT THE LINE WE HAVE SELECTED IS FAR TOO CAUTIOUS, OTHER, PERHAPS IN THE UK, MAY SEEK TO ALLEGE THAT IT IS CONFRONTATIONAL BECAUSE IT DIFFERS FROM WHAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAID WHEN HERE.
4. WE GREATLY ENJOYED SEEING YOU BOTH. I HOPE YOU GOT BACK SAFELY AND NOT TOO EXHAUSTED.
WILSON
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