GRS 1000
SECRET
TOP CORAL
SECRET
RECEIVED
HKK
RY NO. 51
1 1 FEB 1981
PA
REGISTRY Action Taken
fas 11
FM HONG KONG 101030Z FEBRUARY 81
TO IMMEDIATE F C O
TELEGRAM NUMBER 129 OF 10 FEBRUARY
INFO PRIORITY PEKING HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON
FOR YOUDE
FROM GOVERNOR
70)+
YOUR TELEGRAM 121
·3
See
ין
See (TAA
टी
NEW NATIONALITY LEGISLATION
THIS ADVICE IS VERY HELPFUL. I HAVE HAD A PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION WITH EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THOUGH UNOFFICIALS ARE NATURALLY AWAITING THE RETURN OF SIR S Y CHUNG AND MR O V CHEUNG BEFORE COMING TO FIRM CONCLUSIONS ON THE MAJOR ISSUES AND THE TACTICS AND AMENDMENTS WHICH THEY WILL WISH TO PURSUE. (THEY WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSING THESE WITH MESSRS LYONS AND WHITNEY DURING THEIR VISIT OVER THE WEEKEND.
2. MY MAIN CONCERN CONTINUES TO CENTRE ROUND THE CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION AND CROWN SERVICE. THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPHS HAVE BEEN LARGELY DRAFTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. WHILE I
REALISE THE DIFFICULTY OF MEETING HIS PROPOSALS, NEVERTHELESS IT IS JUST AS WELL TO START WITH A CLEAR IDEA OF WHAT APPEARS NECESSARY IF H K'S REASONABLE REQUIREMENTS ARE TO BE MET. I WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR FURTHER COMMENTS.
CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION
62
3. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ADVISED THAT THEY PREFER MINISTERS TO
BE BRIEFED ON THE LINES OF PARAGRAPH 4 OF MY TELEGRAM 122. IF THESE ARE INSUFFICIENT TO CONVINCE, WE ACCEPT THAT THE ARGUMENTS IN PARA 3 OF YOUR TEL 103 WILL HAVE TO BE USED, BUT
WE HOPE THIS CAN BE AVOIDED.
STA
SECRE
/CROWN AND
наза