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that the lesson of the eighties was unavoidable the
Palestinians should lay down their guns.
11. For twenty five years I have reflected on the lessons of that episode. The conclusions were simple enough
A. Trust
The British Government lost the confidence of every section of
the population, of Parliament, of the United Nations and
indeed of the world.
Such loyalty as remained
and it was only that which allowed
us to get out alive was to individual British people,
especially to those who served in the Armed Forces and in the
Aden Political Service.
B. Faith
Tactics designed to deceive the Soviets were deployed to
deceive those we ruled: attempts to convince the world of the transparency of British policies failed.
C. Purpose
No-one knew why we were there: no wonder we could not work
out how to leave. The attempt to write a constitution ended
when Whitehall insisted on a clause providing for freedom to
evangelise Moslems, a capital offence in Islam and banned by the British Government throughout our 150 years of
responsibility.
D.
Resolve
Our heart was not in it: Britain was tired.
12. These conclusions are tabulated at Annex A.
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on our lives.
His Sultan, Nasser, who entrusted me to his
family's care was elected by the electoral college of the Fadli tribes in our sitting room.
When I congratulated him
and confirmed HMG's commitment to our treaty he looked me in
the eye and said with a twinkle - "I will trust you, but I
know the word of governments and of the British government in
particular and I will be surprised if they remember that
pledge.
"
Hong Kong
17. Twenty five years later my wife's and my spirits have
lifted and ancient wounds healed by the realisation that in Hong Kong, Britain and China have laid the foundations for a success that is changing the shape of Asia and should help revive the British economy. Almost every block in those foundations is there. The health of the Hong Kong economy and
of its institutions is extraordinarily strong. The
self-confidence of its Governor reflects that of its people.
A trade pattern is emerging that will offer the best
guarantee of their future prosperity and liberties (and they go together). It could open up the biggest market in the
world to British goods and services, and strengthen Her
Majesty's Government's struggle for free trade.
18. The Minister for Trade has paid three visits to the
region since May and has elaborated a strategy for our future
trading relations. None of the business audiences to which
the plan has been outlined doubt that it is coherent and
important. Their only question is whether we will carry it
through. I believe we shall and suggest that the context
should be the economic and commercial integration of the China
region and our shared concern for the environment that will be
destroyed if China's development goes wrong. The initiative taken by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales in bringing
the Business Leaders' Forum to Hong Kong in November convinced
his audience of that. Already China has invited a follow-up
conference to be held in Peking.
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19. of paramount importance is the establishment of trust with China. They will no doubt study British action as much
our words, and it will take time for people to feel
comfortable with the conclusion that the Governor means what
he says.
The arguments require a broader understanding of
international affairs than is held by many in the Hong Kong audience. The swing of opinion, however, is clear and will, I
hope, continue.
Thanks
20. Without underestimating the importance of diplomatic exchanges, we should appreciate the role of the business community of Hong Kong. Their investments are changing China; they are listened to in Peking, and everywhere their
investments are creating wealth and jobs. It is one economy.
Moreover, Hong Kong is becoming a world media capital.
to Li Ka-Shing, the hourly BBC news reaches television
audiences across half the world, including 300 million in
India and an estimated 10 million Mandarin speakers in China.
A second satellite next year will offer an additional 160
channels. Peter Woo will soon start cable television, and the
technology, skills and investment will inevitably move
the border.
21. Nothing more clearly underlines the importance of the
Governor's call for clarity and transparency. We should not
be surprised that the Chinese are puzzled.
My first impression on arriving in Hong Kong was of bewilderment at the barriers cutting off my office from contact with people I had
assumed to be colleagues. Nothing in Aden had prepared me for
this. Members of the Hong Kong Government read my
correspondence in the FCO - and I hope they enjoy this while
in Hong Kong extraordinary measures were taken to make sure BTC staff were not lobbying for unfair favours. Why, I still
do not know, because everyone knows the Hong Kong contract award system is the most rigorous and fair in the world.
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