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Classification
SECRET
OUT TELEGRAM
ZCZC
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ZCZC
TC
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SECRET
CAVEAT
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FM
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FM FCO
ΤΟ
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TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO
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TELNO
OF
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OF 221615 Z OCTOBER 85
AND TO
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INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
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1.
Caveat
Precedence
[CJ 1A FU]
IMMEDIATE
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YOUR TLENO 2254: FUTURE OF HONG KONG:" ELECTORAL SYSTEM
Our preliminary assessment is that the strength of
parliamentary support for direct elections to LEGCO will be
determined foremost by the degree of public support shown in Hong
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Kong.
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There is of course a natural and general Westminster bias
in favour of introducing direct elections wherever possible, and
as early as possible. However there was a widespread recognition
on all sides of the House of Commons in the debates on the
Agreement and the Hong Kong Bill that the pace and character of
constitutional change in Hong Kong must be determined firstly by
the territory's unique circumstances. Specific pressure during
these debates for direct elections to be introduced in Hong Kong
! was generally muted. Where members called for constitutional
change, they spoke in terms of the Hong Kong Government as a
whole, and LEGCO and EXCO in particular, becoming more
accountable to the people of Hong Kong. We would anticipate that
this general attitude in Westminster will change only if
"grassroots" pressure within Hong Kong for direct elections
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