TNAG-2223-FCO40-3194-Political-relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Japan-1991 — Page 87

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Mr Bond, FED

3990/H18020/2.

REPA

HONG KONG: JAPANESE REPARATIONS

1.

2.

Your minute of 25 October refers.

91

Thank you for showing us your draft reply to the Hong Kong Reparations Association which has now been cleared with the Legal Advisers.

3.

It is clear that there are no legal grounds for raising the Association's claim with the Japanese Government, although it is just possible that the Japanese might be persuaded by political pressure to accept a moral obligation. As you will note from the enclosed cutting from the South China Morning Post of 5 December, the Association has already petitioned the Japanese Consulate-General in Hong Kong and the Japanese Government are reported to be considering their response. This matter has also been raised in Hong Kong's Legislative Council.

4.

In view of the publicity which this matter has already received in Hong Kong, and the expectation that it will be taken up by HMG with the Japanese authorities, we think that it would therefore be worth consulting Tokyo and Hong Kong about the terms of our proposed response before the final reply issues.

5. If you agree, we would appreciate a sight of your draft telegram.

3 January 1991

TG Furness

Hong Kong Department WH 312 270 2653

NABACF

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