DD 192330Z HONG KONG
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FUTURE EGRET
DESKBY 192330Z
FM FCO 191615Z JUN 84
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 1132 OF 19 JUNE
REPEATED INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM CLIFT
HKK
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RECEIVED IN REGISTR
2 O JUN1984
DESK OFFICER
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YOUR TELNO 1147 AND PEKING TELNO 1657: FUTURE EGRET: CONSTITUTION-
AL DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE
1. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR REPORT ON THE EXCO MEETING AND
FOR YOUR AND THE AMBASSADOR'S PRELIMINARY COMMENTS. THERE ARE
TWO RELATED POINTS TO BE CONSIDERED:
(A) HOW DO WE TACKLE THE QUESTION OF THE GOVERNORSHIP IN THE
GREEN PAPER?
AS WE HAVE EXPLAINED, THE SECRETARY OF STATE WAS CONCERNED THAT
ANY SUBSTANTIVE DISCUSSION OF THE POSITION OF THE GOVERNORSHIP
MIGHT LEAD TO UNDUE SPECULATION IN HONG KONG AND TO A DANGEROUS
CHINESE REACTION. WE REALISE HOWEVER THAT IT MAY WELL BE POSSIBLE
TO AVOID THAT BY MAKING THE SECTION ON THE GOVERNOR SUFFICIENTLY
GENERAL AND NOT LINKED TO ANY PARTICULAR TIME SCALE. WE PROPOSE
TO SUBMIT YOUR REDRAFTED PAPER FOR CONSIDERATION BY OD(K) ON
27 JUNE. MINISTERS WILL THEN BE ABLE TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY CAN
ACCEPT THIS DEVICE OR WISH TO LEAVE OUT ANY SUBSTANTIVE
DISCUSSION OF THE GOVERNORSHIP ALTOGETHER. THEIR VIEW MAY WELL
BE INFLUENCED BY THEIR ATTITUDE ON
(B) WHAT IS THE MOST ADVANTAGEOUS LINE FOR US TO PURSUE WITH
REGARD TO THE GOVERNORSHIP UP TO 1997?
HERE I SHOULD MAKE CLEAR THAT FCO MINISTERS HAVE STILL NOT MADE
UP THEIR MINDS ON THE BASIC QUESTION OF WHETHER IT WOULD BE
BETTER TO GO FOR AN ELECTED GOVERNOR BEFORE 1997, TO RETAIN
A BRITISH PERSON APPOINTED FROM LONDON OR, POSSIBLY, TO DEVISE
SOME MIDDLE WAY. THEY ARE CONCERNED THAT WE SHOULD BE QUITE CLEAR
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