CONFIDENTIAL
2272
1
HONG KONG WHERE THERE HAS NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED ANY PATTERN OF
UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE FOR ALL ELECTORS, GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED IT BEST THAT PROCESS OF CONSULTATION ON ACCEPTABILITY OF AGREEMENT SHOULD TAKE PLACE THROUGH THE WELL-DEVELOPED CHANNELS FAMILIAR TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
JUST A RUBBER STAMP?
40) NO. ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO ASSESSMENT PROCESS: HAVE EMPHASISED THROUGHOUT THAT ARRANGEMENTS PROPOSED FOR HONG KONG'S FUTURE MUST BE ACCEPTABLE TO ITS PEOPLE. ASSESSOR'S REPORT HAS
COLLATED THEIR VIEWS IMPARTIALLY. KNOW PARLIAMENT WILL ATTACH
HIGHEST IMPORTANCE TO THEM IN DECIDING WHETHER TO ENDORSE HMG'S
INTENTION TO SIGN AGREEMENT.
LONG ENOUGH?
41) CONFIDENT THAT ARRANGEMENTS MADE PROVIDED AMPLE TIME FOR PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO COMMENT ON THIS IMPORTANT MATTER.
CONFIDENTIALITY
42) CONFIDENTIALITY FULLY GUARANTEED BY ARRANGEMENTS MADE FOR ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE. ONLY WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS FROM MAIN HONG KONG ORGANISATIONS MADE PUBLIC, WITH THEIR CONSENT. OTHER SUBMISSIONS WILL BE KEPT UNDER SEAL IN HONG KONG PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE UNTIL RATIFICATION OF AGREEMENT. THEREAFTER DESTROYED. VIEW OF PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT?
43) THE DRAFT AGREEMENT CANNOT BE AMENDED, BUT VIEWS EXPRESSED IN HONG KONG ON ALL PARTS OF IT WILL BE OF VALUE IN OUR CONTINUING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE, PARTICULARLY IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
HOWE
HONG KONG AGREEMENT
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
HD/PLANNING STAFF
HD/PUSD
DEP HD/PUSD
RESEARCH DEPT (MR WALKER) PS
PS/R LUCE
FS/FUS
SIR W HARDING
KR WILSON
SIR J FREELAND
сс
COPIES TO:(VIA ADR)
HR ROBERTS, NEWS DEPT
MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS MR BURROWS, LEGAL ADVISERS
MR MARTIN, ASST STAFF CABINET
OFFICE
MR CARTLEDGE, CABINET OFFICE MR COLVIN, CABINET OFFICE
SIR P CRADOCK, NO 10 DOWNING ST: SIR P CRADOCK, ROOK K195
-9- CONFIDENTIAL