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CONFIDENTIAL
4kB 0111611
From: J T Masefield
Date: 26 November 1993
cc: PS/Mr Goodlad
Mr Ricketts, HKD Mr Fry, FED
Mr Sullivan, NTCD Mr Thomson, PRU
Private Secretary I
17
HONG KONG: DRAFT WHITE PAPER
1. Earlier today, in order to meet the Private Office deadline, I forwarded, without comment, Mr Ricketts' submission with the proposed White Paper on the Hong Kong negotiations. I have subsequently had a chance to discuss with Mr Ricketts one concern that occurred to me, as I come largely fresh to this subject.
2. This concern relates to the new Part IV of the White Paper, which largely reflects language supplied from Hong Kong, and the Governor's own comments. Of course I can understand the strength of feeling, and I recognise that there is no need to pull our punches so far as the Chinese are concerned. However, it did seem to me that, particularly in paragraph 80, there was rather strong, eye-catching language, repeating points already made in paragraph 77, about the risks of manipulation and of corruption.
3. My fear is that certain sections of opinion in Hong Kong might pause over these accusations and wonder precisely who we have in mind. No doubt there are some to whom we could point. However, I am sure that it would be a mistake if we appeared to be suggesting that too wide a group of people in Hong Kong were, in our view, capable of being manipulated to represent the views of vested interests, or worse still to engage in corrupt practices. I am afraid that we might risk alienating some of the middle ground whose opinions it will be important to have on our side.
4.
I would therefore favour toning down the language somewhat.
T. Tilosfell
J T Masefield
CONFIDENTIAL
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