SECRET
(51,52
DD 300100Z HONG KONG
GRS 385
SECRET
DESKBY 300100Z
FM FCO 2917052 DEC 83
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 1401 OF 29 DECEMBER
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
9590 1
-
HKK: 011/3
ва
YOUR TELNOS 2033 AND 2034: FUTURE OF HONG KONG: PAPER ON
CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE
1. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE REDRAFT IN SECOND TUR. WE HAVE THE
FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS:
See(56
see
(I) IN PARAGRAPH 4 AND AT THE BEGINNING OF PARAGRAPH SIX, THE TWO COURSES OF ACTION, A AND B, MIGHT HELPFULLY BE PRESENTED RATHER LESS SHARPLY AS CONTRASTING OPTIONS. IT WOULD AFTER ALL
BE POSSIBLE, AS THE FIRST SENTENCE OF PARAGRAPH 9 IMPLIES, ΤΟ COMBINE SOME FEATURES OF BOTH METHODS IN VARYING PERMUTATIONS. (ONE EXAMPLE WOULD BE UNDER B FOR THE GOVERNOR STILL TO BE INDIRECTLY ELECTED BUT, SAY, BY THE MEMBERS OF A DIRECTLY ELECTED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL). WE SUGGEST THAT THE INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH 4 MIGHT READ: OPEN QUOTES THERE ARE A NUMBER OF POSSIBLE APPROACHES, SOME FEATURES OF WHICH WOULD BE INTERCHANGEABLE. ONE WOULD BE TO CONCENTRATE ON INDIRECT ELECTION.
AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH WOULD BE TO MOVE MORE QUICKLY TO DIRECT
ELECTIONS FOR CENTRAL GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS UNQUOTE. (II) FOLLOWING FROM THIS THE INTRODUCTION TO PARAGRAPH 6 MIGHT READ: OPEN QUOTES IN ASSESSING THE RIGHT FEATURES FOR ANY NEW SYSTEM, THE FOLLOWING FACTORS NEED TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT:
UNQUOTE.
(III) AT THE END OF PARAGRAPH 6 C ADD A CONTINUATION: QUOTES A GREATER DEMOCRACY, AND IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO AVOID LEAVING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MORE REPRESENTATIONAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT ONLY PARTLY COMPLETED. THIS COULD ENABLE THE
OPEN
CHINESE EITHER TO CRITICISE IT OR LATER TO EXPLOIT IT FOR THEIR
OWN PURPOSES CLOSE QUOTES.
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