BACKGROUND
CONFIDENTIAL
1.
The reports submitted by the Monitoring Team consisting of the
Rt Hon Sir Patrick Nairne and Mr Justice Simon Li will be published,
together with that of the Assessment Office, in a White Paper on
29 November (attached).
2.
The report of the Monitoring Team states that they are
satisfied that the Assessment Office performed its duties impartially; faithfully followed the procedures prescribed for it;
and accurately analysed and assessed the submissions which it
received. The Monitors endorse the conclusion of the Assessment
Office that "most of the people of Hong Kong find the draft
agreement acceptable".
3.
There are two notes of criticism, both primarily directed at HMG. It is regretted (para 12) that the importance of consulting and assessing the views of Hong Kong on the draft agreement had not been more fully explained at the political level. The Monitors also express the view (paras 17-18) that public concern in Hong Kong about the confidentiality of submissions to the Assessment Office could have been avoided. On both these points (especially the latter) it is perhaps necessary to admit privately that in retrospect more might have been done.
4.
The report concludes with two more general reflections which, strictly speaking, perhaps go beyond the Team's terms of reference:
(i) "Nobody in Hong Kong can escape the uncertainties of
the future
• ..
The majority who accept [the
agreement] do so chiefly because they regard
reunification as inevitable and are relieved that
the terms of the draft agreement
are.
are as good as they
CONFIDENTIAL
BACKGROUND