OCMIAN 3109
CONFIDENTIAL
OO PEKIN
FM FCOLN TO PEKIN
291000Z JUL
GRS 706
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 1612
OF 29100OZ JULY 86
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
PA Visit
сс
sr/
321
CONFIDENTIAL
53109
YOUR TELNO 2123 AND PEKING TELNO 1173: YOUR VISIT TO PEKING IN AUGUST: THE QUESTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS
1. WE AND LEGAL ADVISERS CONCUR GENERALLY WITH YOUR PROVISIONAL THOUGHTS AND PEKING'S COMMENTS IN TURS. NOT OF COURSE CONSULTED MINISTERS AT THIS STAGE.
2.
WE HAVE
WE SHARE YOUR FEELING THAT THERE WILL HAVE TO BE A PRE-SELECTION PROCESS OF SOME KIND BOTH TO DEAL WITH THE LACK OF
WE A PARTY SYSTEM AND TO AVOID A PROLIFERATION OF CANDIDATES. ALSO AGREE THAT IN THE ABSENCE OF PARTIES AND GIVEN THE PAUCITY OF CANDIDATES WITH A TERRITORY-WIDE FOLLOWING IT WOULD BE UNDESIRABLE AND PROBABLY IMPRACTICABLE TO ORGANISE CONTESTS ON A TERRITORY-WIDE BASIS. THIS WOULD MOREOVER LEAVE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WITHOUT DIRECT LINKS TO ANY INDIVIDUAL DISTRICT OR
REGION.
3. IF DISTRICT BOARDS ARE TO FORM THE BASIS OF A PRE-SELECTION PROCESS (AND WE CAN AT PRESENT THINK OF NO WORKABLE ALTERNATIVE) WE WOULD SHARE YOUR VIEW IN PARA 6 OF YOUR TUR THAT IT WOULD BE UNDESIRABLE IN THE LONG RUN FOR DIRECTLY ELECTED CANDIDATES TO CONTINUE TO SIT ALONGSIDE ELECTORAL COLLEGE CANDIDATES IN LEGCO. THIS WOULD INDEED APPEAR TO GIVE DISTRICT BOARDS A DUAL INFLUENCE
LOVER
RECEN
- 6 AUG 1986
1
CONFIDENTIAL
1
- 6 AUG 1986
TAB GE
C