TNAG-2615-FCO40-3806-Views-of-Lee-Kuan-Yew--former-Prime-Minister-of-Singapore--o-1992 — Page 23

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Mr Lee siso openly celled on Hongkanger : to d

Patten's plans.

35

4M

The British government felt that a head of state for 32 years, fir Lee remained decisive political Pigure in Singapore even if he was just a Cabinet adviser.

for him to criticise the Governor while in Hongkang as a guest was to ignore and insul

diplomatic protocol. It was therefore necessary for the British government to respond by conveying its unhappiness to the Singapore government, said the source.

The source also said that no decision had been made on the means to do so. The final decision would be taken by the foreign ministry. It seemed that among the possible ways

considered were for the Hongkong government's political adviser to call for a meeting wit

Singapore High Commissioner in Hongkong or for British foreign ministry officials to meet Singapore's ambassador to Britain, or have the foreign ministry write to the Singapore government,

The source said that Mr Lee's remark about an Anglo-American plot wes baseless. Mr Fat

democracy proposals were.drawn up after wide consultation in Hongkong. The package was intended to fulfil the responsibilities under the Joint Declaration and had nothing to do

the American government,

Furthermore, the US was in the midst of a general election then and no one knew whethe

George Bush or Mr Bill Clinton would emerge as President.

Mr Lee's statement that Britain and US had long had en alliance could not stand and hi

remarks could only make China, already used to viewing the West as schemers, more extremi

and render it more difficult to improve Sino-British ties. There was nothing for Hongkong

gain from it.

On the other hand, if Hongkongers in Singapore were to spread similer allegations of conspiracy in criticising the Singapore government, they might perhaps have already been expelled or arrested.

Indeed, Mr Lee has abused the freedom of speech in Hongkongy ́he said.

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