TNAG-2268-FCO40-3267-Hong-Kong-Her-Majesty-s-Overseas-Civil-Service-(HMOCS)-poli-1991 — Page 103

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retire with their pensions in 1997.

Depending on the

wording of the statement it may play into China's hands and

be seen as reinforcing their belief that overseas officers

have no interest in Hong Kong and its future and they

should only take account of "local compatriots".

12.

The publicity is of course aimed at HMG rather

extent this will have an effect is

than HKG but to what

difficult to assess.

other

major

issues

It may be that there are too many

concerning UK parliamentarians

at

present for this to become a major political issue.

Points for Consideration

13.

The following need to be addressed :-

(a)

how is HMG to respond to the publicity;

(b)

how is HKG to respond to the publicity; and

Not a

(c)

dispute yet.

when and how should we approach the Chinese.

(It should be borne in mind this is essentially

a dispute between HMOCS officers and HMG.)

Civil Service Branch

24 July 1991

0009M

CONFIDENTIAL