June 1992
CONFIDENTIAL
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FROM: SECRETARY OF STATE
TO:
CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER
HONG KONG: ARRANGEMENTS FOR HER MAJESTY'S OVERSEAS CIVIL
SERVICE (HMOCS)
I am disappointed that, after six weeks of
you were
consideration, Michael Portillo was not able to reply more positively to my minute of 1 May and my further
minute to you of 12 June.
As I have explained several times, I believe the time has now come, following protracted discussions
Minstena between officials, to take a political view of these,
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issues. Otherwise the deadlock will continue. We cannot
allow this to happen, given that Chris Patten takes up
his appointment in early July. The officers concerned Occupy key positions in the administration in Hong Kong
and the police force. Chris will need their full
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support. This he will not get unless we have been able
to put proposals on the table which address these
officers' legitimate concerns.
I therefore repeat my proposal for a very early meeting. I think it is important that Chris Patten joins
us at that meeting. He has a direct interest, we should not in any case treat the Government of Hong Kong as if they were a foreign power. We have a joint interest in making a success of British administration until 1997.
Chris also has a wealth of experience in dealing with
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