LEGAAU
A
CABINET : 29 JUNE
HONG KONG
CONFIDENTIAL
HKB 040/4.
parn3ly Mizy Marssen +
W30%
Will try to
Will visit Hong Kong from 2-4 July. Aim will be to demonstrate to Hong Kong people HMG's firm commitment to territory. steady nerves and reassure people about future.
Growing resentment of
But will not be easy. Mood in Hong Kong nervous and
apprehensive. Highly emotional atmosphere. Britain over nationality issue.
Indications that increasing numbers of people are preparing to
leave. Australian Foreign Minister told me that long queues were forming outside Australian Consulate-General.
Various groups in Hong Kong campaigning for right of abode in UK for Hong Kong people. Have hired Saatchi and Saatchi for this.
Cope Will need to consider how to edmbat this campaign.
with
Prime Minister and I saw Dame Lydia Dunn and Mr Allen Lee on 23
June. They put the case for granting citizenship to all 3.28
million BDTCS. Made it clear on return to Hong Kong that campaign
would continue.
Have begun to speak to international community about anxieties of Hong Kong people : made it clear that will look to them for help and support if worst comes to worst.
-
FAC report to be published on 30 June. No firm indication of
recommendations (likely to advocate faster progress on democracy.
Do not expect unhelpful recommendations on nationality.)
Vietnamese boat people remains major headache for Hong Kong.
Arrival rate beginning to ease, but still substantial (100s per
day).
Saw Co Thach on 28 June. (Agreed that repatriation should
begin on 17 July.
July.) Will visit VBP camps during forthcoming visit. ( Not for dissemination at this stage \
CONFIDENTIAL
HONG
KONG
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.