TNAG-2057-FCO40-2935-Armed-incursions-by-China-and-Royal-Navy-rules-of-engagement-1990 — Page 37

CONFIDENTIAL

HKB

177

CEIVED NREGISTRY

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MDHIAN 3133

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 1723

OF 011001Z JUNE 90

12 JUN 1990

INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG, BTC HONG KONG

(20)

MY TELNO 1706: SMUGGLING INCIDENT:

LEGCO DEBATE

MARTIN LEE HAS PUT DOWN FOR DEBATE IN LEGCO ON 6 JUNE THE

FOLLOWING MOTION:

I 'THIS COUNCIL NOTES WITH CONCERN THE INCIDENT INVOLVING THE ALLEGED SMUGGLING OF THREE MERCEDES BENZ MOTOR CARS ON 3 MAY 1990, THE TEMPORARY DETENTION OF TWO HONG KONG POLICEMEN AND THE FOUR

WEEK LONG DETENTION OF FIVE HONG KONG SEAMEN IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC CHINA, IN RELATION TO THAT ALLEGED SMUGGLING.''

2.

THE MOTION IS IN ORDER AND, AS PRESIDENT, I SHALL THEREFORE

AGREE TO IT BEING DEBATED.

3. COMMENT. THIS IS A TIRESOME MOVE WHICH CAN ONLY SERVE FURTHER TO STIR UP MUDDY WATERS WHICH ARE BEST LEFT TO SETTLE NOW THAT WE HAVE GOT BACK THE CREW AND THE TWO BOATS. WE SHALL TRY TO GET THE

DEBATE TREATED IN AS LOW A KEY AS POSSIBLE. INEVITABLY HOWEVER THERE WILL BE THINGS SAID WHICH WILL BE PICKED UP BY THE MEDIA AND DO NOTHING TO HELP RESOLVE THE REMAINDER OF THIS INCIDENT, I.E. GETTING THE CARS RETURNED, OR TO GET ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE FOR

RESOLVING FUTURE ONES.

4.

PA WILL BRIEF NCNA.

WILSON

YYYY