TNAG-2224-FCO40-3195-Gulf-War-burden-sharing-Hong-Kong-contribution-1991 — Page 26

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Mr.

Martin Lee considered, without intending any disrespect, that since Mr.

that since Mr. Allen Lee's suggestion had been used to amend the proposal, the matter might appear to have been pre-planned. He considered this was unfair to Members, because there was no time to consider the application of the amendment to the proposal in the absence of fresh information to support it. Mr. Allen Lee clarified that his proposal was entirely based

based on his own

own observations and assessments of both Members' and public reaction to the subject as evidenced by his insistence that the amendment should take the form of a condition and not just a request. The Chairman added that he was aware that both MC.

Lees would be proposing amendments.

Allen Lee's proposal had corresponded with the Chairman's own assessment of public opinion and that was why he had asked Members to consider a revised Administration proposal on similar

lines,

Mr.

when

the

Mr. Martin Lee went on to say that he accepted all the reasons given both in the Finance Committee paper and elsewhere as to why "HK should

should not stand aside". As the eleventh largest trading economy in the world, HK played a major role in the world economy. HK was a full member of GATT and other specialized agencies of the UN. When a crisis of this nature enveloped the whole world, HK had to come forward and fulfil the responsibilities that came with its international stature, particularly

it had asked international community to be concerned about HK's future. It was only right and proper to do something to show concern about the international crisis in the Gulf. He reminded Members that the Legislative Council had not yet taken any position on the Gulf war. He considered that was understandable because the declaration of war was exclusively a matter for the sovereign state. But on discussion of the amended proposal it had to be remembered that the people of HK as well as Members of the Legislative Council held different views on the war. Up to that point, no sovereign state, including the UK, had actually asked HK to make any contribution towards the Gulf war. If it was decided to make any contribution at all,

it was an entirely voluntary one. Based on media news and views his personal consultation over the last few days Mr. Lee summarized the views of the public of HK follows : the public, on the whole, was supportive of the idea that HK should make a contribution towards the resolution of the conflict in the Gulf; but the majority was against making a contribution to the UKG to support the war as such; the majority of HR people would prefer the money to be used exclusively for humanitarian purposes; and a number of people had expressed the fear if HK were to take sides in the war by supporting the British presence there, this could provoke retaliation from terrorists who sympathized with tray.

and

that

as