CAB128-94_A1b — Page 52

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ONFIDEN

Demonstra by the M community Mr Salman Rushdie's book

proceed accordingly.

in

THE HOME SECRETARY said that there was a continuing series of protests by members of the Muslim community against Mr Salman Rushdie's book "Satanic Verses". This was a difficult issue for the Government since it was not Dossible to meet the protestors' main demands: "Satanic Verses particular, it would not seem right either to extend the

a of blasphemy

cover religions other than ristianity or to create a new offence of incitement to ligious hatred. Following several of the protest meetings, groups of young Muslims, sometimes as many as 200 strong, had resorted to disorder and violence. He had the power to ban processions, on application by the Chief Constable and the local authority, if serious disorder could not otherwise be avoided; and Chief Constables were empowered impose conditions an meetings if they anticipated serious disorder, although there was no power to ban such meetings. It would be helpful if colleagues could impress slim leaders in their constituencies and elsewhere, that the disorder associated with the recent protest action was harming their cause.

The Cabinet -

2. Took note.

IDENTI

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Hong Kong

Previous Reference CC(89) 22.3

3. THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY said that he would be visiting Hong Kong femto 4 July where he would try to steady nerves and reassure people about the future following the blow to public condence from recent events in China. There was the prospect of a sustained campaign on the key question of whether Hong Kong British passport holders should have the right of abode in the United Kingdom. On this the House of Commons Seraxt Committee on Foreign Affairs was likely to be helpful to the Government's view in the report they would blishing on 30 June.

Contingency Further work would need to be done on gontingency planning for mobilising the international city in the event of a major cataclysm precipitating a mass exodus from Hong Kong. In his own discussions in Hoog the following week he would focus on the more question of greater flexibility in conceding the right of abode to Hong Kong British passport holders.

pediate

Continuing, THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY that, on the problem posed by the continuing arrival

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CONFIDENTIAL

DENTIAL

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