TNAG-2276-FCO40-3275-Hong-Kong-and-the-media-1991 — Page 129

UNCLASSIFIED

072034

MDLIAN 4478

WORRIED THAT THE DECISION WOULD BRING HARSH CRITICISMS FROM CHINA AND WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED LOCALLY.

LEGCO POLL

11. U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE, JAMES BAKER, HAD AGREED TO CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF SENDING U.S. OBSERVERS TO MONITOR HONG KONG'S FIRST DIRECT LEGCO ELECTIONS, BUT HE MADE IT CLEAR THAT WASHINGTON WOULD FIRST HAVE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE IDEA WAS ACCEPTABLE TO BRITAIN AND CHINA.

EMIGRATION

12. THE U.S SAFETY NET SCHEME FOR LOCAL EMPLOYEES OF U.S. FIRMS WAS WELL RECEIVED AND, SO FAR, THE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS HAD EXCEEDED 9,000 AGAINST THIS YEAR'S QUOTA OF 12,000, MING PAO (29.5) SAID.

HONG KONG AIRLINES

13. A SPOKESMAN FOR CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS WAS QUOTED AS SAYING THAT THE UNION JACK NOW APPEARING ON THE TAIL FIN OF ITS AIRCRAFT WAS NOW BEING PHASED OUT IN VIEW OF THE INCREASINGLY INDEPENDENT ROLE HONG KONG WAS ASSUMING IN INTERNATIONAL AVIATION TALKS. ANOTHER LOCAL AIRLINE, DRAGONAIR, WAS EXPECTED TO FOLLOW SUIT.

WILSON

YYYY

MAIN

61

.HONG KONG AGREEMENT

. (RESTRICTED)

LIMITED

HKD

HD/FED

NEWS D

PLANNERS

ADDITIONAL

MS BARRETT LEGAL ADVISERS

DISTRIBUTION

65

PUSD

RAD

PS/LORD CAITHNESS

PS/MR LENNOX-BO'YD

SIR J COLES MR BURNS

MR APPLEYARD CABINET OFFICE

PAGE UNCLASSIFIED

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