TNAG-2057-FCO40-2935-Armed-incursions-by-China-and-Royal-Navy-rules-of-engagement-1990 — Page 44

CONFIDENTIAL

MDb

164136

N 2623

NONETHELESS AGREED TO RELEASE THEM WITHOUT PENALTY.

4. THAT LEAVES THE CARS. DESPITE OUR ARGUMENTS THAT THE MAIN EVIDENCE WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE TO CONVICT THOSE WE HAVE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR THEFT, GUANGDONG WOULD NOT BUDGE ON THIS POINT. WE THINK IN FACT THAT IT WILL REINFORCE IN THE MINDS OF THE HONG KONG PUBLIC THE IMPRESSION THAT THOSE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BORDER ARE ALL TO0 INTERESTED IN ACQUIRING GOODS CORRUPTLY. THE POLICE ARE CONSIDERING THE EFFECT THAT NON RELEASE OF THE CARS WILL

HAVE ON THE CASES AGAINST THOSE ARRESTED ON TAP SHEK KOK PIER. ALSO THE INSURANCE IMPLICATIONS. IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR ADVICE, WE WILL NEED TO CONSIDER FURTHER WHETHER WE GO BACK TO THE CHINESE.

5. ON ANTI-SMUGGLING MEASURES, THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE MEETING WAS HARMONIOUS. ANOTHER BORDER MEETING ON THIS ASPECT HAS BEEN AGREED FOR ONE MONTH'S TIME.

WILSON

YYYY

ΜΑΙΝ

30

LIMITED

HKD

FED

NEWS D

NNNN

DISTRIBUTION

30

MR MCLAREN

MR BURNS

MISS SPENCER

PAGE

2

CONFIDENTIAL