TNAG-2224-FCO40-3195-Gulf-War-burden-sharing-Hong-Kong-contribution-1991 — Page 81

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

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1

¡¡

OUT

TELEGRAM

(CONT)

Classification

CONFIDENTIAL

Caveat

Precedence

IMMEDIATE

ن

contribution to HMG and this sentiment has inevitably played

3 back into Leg Co. This is why we made clear to the Hong Kong

Government that if Hong Kong wished to contribute towards our

Gulf costs, it was a decision which would have to come from

them.

8 Following the outbreak of hostilities, the Governor immediately

9 recognised that the opportunity to get a contribution through

10

ExCo and the Leg Co Finance Committee had greatly improved and

11 has done so with considerable skill. The difficulties he faced

12

13

14

are reflected in the fact that the Leg Co Finance Committee

Ca body which consists of the Full Council, minus its civil

service members and which has to approve all Government

15: expenditure) was more sharply divided on this issue than on any

other measure in the recent past (26 votes in favour and 14

17 against).

16

16

The decision to contribute to HMG's Gulf costs has not been

achieved, without some political cost in Hong Kong. Although we

have already issued a statement publicly welcoming the decision

(copy enclosed), the Foreign Secretary believes that it would be

23 much appreciated if the Prime Minister were prepared to send the

Governor a personal message of thanks for his efforts.

The

5 text of a possible message is enclosed.

261

27

HURD

23

291

30 YYYY

31 GULF BURDENSHARING

ADDITIONAL

331 MR MCLAREN

34 MR BURNS

Unquote

For distribution order see. Page

Catchword:

YFB7/C037C

Printed in the UK for HMSO 6/89 DaFC01077 C1000 27081

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