TNAG-2224-FCO40-3195-Gulf-War-burden-sharing-Hong-Kong-contribution-1991 — Page 27

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He

Не concluded that the people of

of HK were а generous, caring people who were deeply concerned with the war in the Gulf. He believed that the community was prepared to give charitably towards the

the cause of alleviating the suffering caused by the current conflict, particularly when it was so close to the Chinese New Year. therefore supported

supported the Administration's

the Administration's position that HK should make a contribution of $230 million, but questioned whether the money should be given directly to the UK albeit with conditions attached, or to some other body such as the International Red Cross (IRC). Mr. Lee noted that the territory of HK was financially independent from the UK and greatly valued its autonomy while being concerned to preserve such a high degree of autonomy after 1997. In the light of the autonomy and of the importance of not setting a precedent that might be misused later, he believed the money should not be given to the UKG for otherwise HK would be, in the eyes of the world, "cowering under the wings of the mother hen", To give the money even conditionally to the UKG would defeat the objective of the payment, which was, to show HK's trading partners that it was an active part of the international community and not just a passive British colony.

Mr. Martin Lee

Lee went on to propose that the $230 million should be given to the IRC to assist it in providing for persons wounded, displaced, taken prisoner, or left without food or shelter by the current conflict. The IRC had made a special emergency appeal, as it was in great need of funds for its wide range of emergency programmes in the Gulf. The IRC already had 140 personnel in the Gulf who were active in providing medical assistance for the wounded, establishing field hospitals, providing for the approximately 300 000 persons who had been made refugees as a result of the conflict, and protecting and tracing the prisoners of war. The governments of Japan, Australia, and South Korea had donated to the IRC, as had the National Red Cross organizations in Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, and Malaysia. For HK to give generously to the IRC would show the world the concern and caring of the people of the territory. It would also establish a precedent that, were the People's Republic of China to become involved in an armed conflict after 1997, and ask for a contribution from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, HK could then follow this precedent and donate the money to the IRC.