CONFIDENTIAL
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MDHIAN $99
HEIGHT, AND COULD OFFER FEW WORDS OF COMFORT. THERE REMAINS SOME CYNICISM ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF THE VISIT, BUT ALSO A GROWING UNDERSTANDING THAT MEMBERS NOW FACED THE TASK OF BRINGING THE TEMPERATURE IN THE COMMUNITY BACK DOWN AGAIN. SOME SAID THEY APPRECIATED THE SECRETARY OF STATE COMING PERSONALLY TO HONG KONG TO
DELIVER A MESSAGE, EVEN IF A MAJOR PART OF THE CONTENT WAS UNWELCOME.
CONCLUSION
16. THE VISIT HAS PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE VENTING OF THE
FRUSTRATION WHICH HAS BEEN ALL TOO APPARENT IN THE COMMUNITY SINCE 4. JUNE. PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VERY BADLY SHAKEN BY TIANANMEN. THEY HAVE BEEN THRASHING ABOUT IN SEARCH OF REASSURANCE OR A WAY OUT FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES. MANY, PARTICULARLY AMONG THE PROFESSIONAL AND MIDDLE CLASSES, HAD HOPED THAT BRITAIN WOULD PROVIDE BOTH. PEOPLE HAVE ALSO BEEN LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO BLAME AND HAVE LASHED OUT ALTERNATELY AT CHINA AND THE UK. THE VISIT CAUGHT THE
BACK END OF THE LATTER. REALISM IS NOW SETTING IN AND WITH IT
SOME SENSE OF THE NEED FOR SELF-RELIANCE.
17. THE VISIT HAS ALSO FOCUSSED MUCH CRITICAL COMMENT ON HMG. BUT IF PART OF THE AIM WAS TO LOWER EXPECTATIONS ON NATIONALITY, THEN IT HAS ACHIEVED THIS OBJECTIVE, EVEN THOUGH THE MESSAGE WAS UNPALATABLE. DESPITE VARIOUS UNCOMPLIMENTARY COMMENTS ARISING FROM FRUSTRATION AND A SENSE OF POWERLESSNESS, THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT THAT PEOPLE WILL STILL HOPE AND EXPECT THAT BRITAIN WILL ACT AS BOTH FRIEND AND SOVEREIGN POWER IN HELPING HONG KONG IN GENERAL, AND FIGHTING FOR ITS INTERESTS WITH CHINA IN PARTICULAR.
WILSON
YYYY
DISTRIBUTION
52
ΜΑΙΝ
49
.HONG KONG AGREEMENT
. (RESTRICTED)
LIMITED
HKD
HD/FED
RESEARCH (FE)
PUSD
PS/LORD GLENARTHUR
PS/MR EGGAR
MR GILLMORE
MR MCLAREN
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