CONFIDENTIAL
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CABINET MEETING: 12 JULY:
HONG KONG
Points to make
Full day debate on China/Hong Kong on 13 July.
Will be under some pressure to announce scheme to reassure key people in business, professions, civil service. But will be unable to do so. Hope to announce details before summer recess. Hong Kong now impatient to learn what is on offer.
refer to ponbility.
Will also announce Intention of meeting Chinese Foreign Minister S.
in margins of Cambodia Conferences 31 July] (will be well understood in "HK, and hopefully here, that he must get back into business on Hong Kong).
we
OMELCO delegation here to lobby MPs and others on right of abode issue. OMELCO continue to insist on right of abode for all. But encouraging that their latest public statement makes clear that they
would not turn down package which fell short of that.
Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee has called on Government to
seek international guarantees for Hong Kong in worst case. Must do
what we can, but not optimistic that specific undertakings will be
forthcoming.
Paris Economic Summit will be opportunity to bring home to Summit
partners need for international action to restore confidence in Hong
Kong. Have sent messages to Baker and Dumas.
Hong Kong Basic Law drafters are visiting Peking. Chinese aim to reassure Hong Kong about their post 1997 intentions. Have also announced decision to extend Basic Law consultation period. But apparently unwilling to delay promulgation.
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Vietnamese boat people: arrivals continue at around 1,000 a
week. Lower than pre Conference level, but still unacceptably high.
Hope to begin (non forcible) repatriation of screened out very soon. Strong and illogical US opposition to idea of repatriation. Taking this up robustly (message to Baker, Solarz, PUS/Catto).
JONABH
CONFIDENTIAL
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