TNAG-2057-FCO40-2935-Armed-incursions-by-China-and-Royal-Navy-rules-of-engagement-1990 — Page 6

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Our question is by no means rhetoric for we are firmly of the opinion that our Government's failure had given succour and encouragement to the criminals and which failure is responsible for our continuing losses since May 3rd.

(6) The following questions and assistance we would ask of

you:

(a)

(b)

(c)

Please give us an adequate explanation of our Government's conduct as queried in paragraph (5).

Please take note that we are in the process of effecting settlement of the claims from the owners of the 3 vehicles that were stolen in the evening of May 2nd/3rd and shall be assuming property rights to those vehicles.

Our Government have made no voluntary effort to contact the car-owners and explain what happened to their property. We respectfully suggest that this failure displays a singular lack of regard and consideration for the interests of the Hongkong citizens.

The only indication we have of the fate of the 3 vehicles is from a footnote in SCMP's report of 31st May that "Chinese authorities said they had confiscated three Mercedes cars which were on the lighter".

Would you please on our behalf enquire of the Chinese Government as to which specifically was the authority that confiscated the vehicles, on what basis, to what purpose, on whose authori- zation, and for whose benefit?

As gleaned from the transcript of your Legco statement, the three May 3rd vehicles were effectively in the control of our Police officers at the time when they were forcibly taken to China. RHKP had on 22nd June written us to confirm that "two males have been arrested and charged with Conspiracy to Commit Theft" and, by implication, that the cars were stolen from their rightful owners in Hongkong.

Given the circumstances, we see that the Chinese Government have no reason whatsoever not to return the vehicles to us. We would ask you to please request H M Government of Great Britain to take up our cause through diplomatic channels in Beijing. That is, we do not accept that the border liaison

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