TNAG-2776-FCO40-3993-Hong-Kong-questions-for-the-Legislative-Council-(LEGCO)-on-c-1993 — Page 35

CONFIDENTIAL

But

seek our assistance in approaching the Japanese Government, we

could hardly refuse to take similar action on their behalf.

should we volunteer this thought in the reply to (c)?

B 6. Tokyo have advised (Tokyo Telno 828) that while it is

appropriate that HMG/HKG should appear "modestly helpful", we should avoid stimulating claims from "comfort women", where no

claims at present exist. This is sensible. The proposed amended reply to (c) in the draft telegram seeks to signal that

Ministers have not allowed themselves to be constrained by the lack of legal locus from taking action where there is a good moral case, while at the same time avoiding the risk of inviting

an avalanche of claims.

Thani

J C Morris

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