SECRET
POINTS TO
MAKE.
SECRETARY OF STATE'S MEETING WITH SIR PATRICK NAIRNE : 6 SEPTEMBER,
12.15pm
FUTURE OF HONG KONG : TEST OF ACCEPTABILITY
ROLE OF THE MONITORS
POINTS TO MAKE
1.
Appreciate
Very pleased that you have agreed to be a Monitor.
that accepting this appointment has caused you some inconvenience.
Very grateful to you for doing this. Hope the arrangements
have made for you and the terms of the offer are satisfactory.
that
we
2. HMG attaches great importance to the assessment exercise.
Parliament will wish to be assured that the views of the people of
Hong Kong were accurately reported. Monitors' report will be
crucial to credibility of assessment. Expect it to be given close attention by Parliament.
3. Understand that you have seen an outline of the proceedure for
the Assessment Office. Hope you agree that assessment being approached in realistic and sensible way.
4. I know of your feeling that Monitors might need to include in
their report something about consultation process in general as well
as work of Assessment Office. Agree that Parliament will want to
know that Hong Kong Government took sufficient steps to publicise
and explain White Paper. Would be perfectly natural if you included
some observations on these aspects, perhaps in introduction to
report. Naturally hope you will be in a position to comment
positively. Your terms of reference state that Monitors shall be
to witness such aspects of the exercise of consultation as y ou may wish.
free
5. Hope to initial agreement on about 25 September. But still
much work ahead before we reach conclusion of negotiations. White
Paper containing agreement and annexes will be published here and in
Hong Kong as soon as possible after initially.
SECRET