TNAG-1872-FCO40-2660-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China-1989 — Page 101

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014773

MDHIAN 2392

OF STUDENTS BEGAN TO CONVERGE ON THE SQUARE, HAVING MADE THEIR

SPECTATORS, AND THE WAY FROM HAIDIAN. THERE WERE LARGE CROWDS OF

ATMOSPHERE WAS CHEERFUL. BANNERS CARRIED THE USUAL SLOGANS. TRAFFIC WAS DISRUPTED IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF THE SQUARE. AT THE PRESENT TIME (1615 LOCAL) THE SITUATION IS SIMILAR WITH POLICE

AND NO REPORT BLOCKING OFF THE SQUARE, NO LARGE STUDENT PRESENCE

OF A CLASH AS YET.

THAT THE

ME

CYL

COME

CLEAR SIGNAL TO THE DEMONSTRATORS THE AUTHORITIES HAVE CHOSEN THEIR MOMENT IN THE HOPE THAT THE STUDENTS' ORIGINAL IMPETUS (AND THE EXCUSE OF HU'S DEATH) MAY NOW BE RUNNING DOWN, THAT THE ROLE OF AGITATORS IS BECOMING MORE

(THERE IS OBVIOUS AND THE MODERATES ARE GETTING COLD FEET. EVIDENCE FOR INSTANCE THAT SOME STUDENTS WERE INTIMIDATED INTO BOYCOTTING EXAMS). THEY HAVE PITCHED THEIR ARGUMENTS ABOUT QUOTE AVOIDING CRITICISM OF ORDER UNQUOTE AND CHALLENGE TO AUTHORITY STUDENTS' MAINLINE REFORM DEMANDS

IN A WAY DESIGNED TO APPEAL

TO THE MAN IN THE STREET AND THE MORE SOBER INTELLECTUALS. A

SSFUL OLIMPDOWN YOW COULD TEACH LESSO

WOULD

ANY LARGER OUTBREAK ON 4 MAY, WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE AUTHORITIES MAIN FEAR AND WOULD BE PARTICULARLY EMBARRASSING

IT WOULD ALSO PREEMPT WITH THE START OF THE ADB MEETING IN PEKING. ANY SPREAD OF THE DISTURBANCES TO WORKING-CLASS CIRCLES AND TO

INTO TOWNS CHALF THOSE THE VOLATILE EX-RURAL POPULATION DRIFTING ARRESTED IN XIAN AND CHANGSHA WERE QUOTE FLOATING UNQUOTE EX- FARMERS ).

5. BY THE SAME TOKEN, IF THE POLICE EITHER FAIL TO REMOVE DEMONSTRATORS FROM TIANANMEN TODAY OR USE EXCESSIVE FORCE IN DOING SO, MORE UNREST COULD BE STIRRED UP AND THE PROSPECTS FOR 4 MAY WORSENED. IT IS TOO EARLY IN THE DAY TO KNOW HOW THIS WILL COME OUT.

'}

IS STRICT AND 6. IN POLITICAL TERMS, YESTERDAY'S PARTY LINE

HODOX AS ONE WOULD EXPEC WHEN THE TASK IS TO ASSERT AUTHORITY,

VING THE FOUR SAC

QUOTE

QUOTED AGAIN AS A POLICY AIM

STRENGTHENING

-EGA

-

NGS E CONTINUING REFORM AND

CURS

BEEN THE SLOGAN OF THOSE MOST CAUTIOUS ABOUT REFORM. BUT IT IS EARLY DAYS TO DRAW CONCLUSIONS ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE LEADERSHIP OR FOR PERSONALITIES WITHIN IT. ZHAO ZIYANG HIMSELF

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