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- 2.
(e)
article 3 of the First Additional Protocol to the Convention is, I think, a major stumbling block.
It reads that "the High Contracting Parties (the UK, but perhaps not Hong Kong?) undertake to hold free elections at reasonable intervals by secret ballot
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4 (£) Article 4 of the First and article 5 of the Second
Additional Protocols suggest that ways might be found, presumably legal ways, by which the Convention could be extended to Hong Kong (with reservations), but such a qualified extension might easily draw attention to the reservations that were made. Indeed, Hong Kong might thus be the subject of more adverse publicity than at present when the Convention does not apply to it. My view is that matters are best left to lie.
Javid
T J David
4 May 1977
Hong Kong & General Department
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