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IN REGISTRY
31 OCT 1986
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
REGISTRY Action Taken
MY TWO IPTS: PAPERS FOR OD(K)
FOLLOWING IS REMAINDER OF TEXT OF DRAFT PAPER ON THE GOVERNOR AND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE.
BEGINS
17.
THE POWERS DELEGATED OR DEVOLVED TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
(DESIGNATE) COULD BE RESUMED IF THE NEED AROSE, EITHER BECAUSE OF
HIS INADEQUACY OR BECAUSE OF EXTERNAL FACTORS (ALTHOUGH WE SHOULD
NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POLITICAL DIFFICULTY OF DOING SO). THE AIM
WOULD HOWEVER BE TO DEVOLVE TO HIM BY 1997 ALL THE POWERS TO BE
EXERCISED BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE AFTER 1997, SO AS TO LESSEN THE
LIKELIHOOD THAT THE CHINESE MIGHT BE TEMPTED, EVEN AGAINST THE
PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, TO RETAIN SUCH POWERS FOR
THEMSELVES AFTER THE CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY.
CONSEQUENTIAL ISSUES
18.
A NUMBER OF CONSEQUENTIAL ISSUES ARE EXAMINED IN THE
ANNEX TO THIS PAPER. MINISTERS WILL WISH TO NOTE THE
IMPLICATIONS OF WHAT IS PROPOSED: BUT THESE DO NOT REQUIRE
MINISTERIAL DECISION AT THIS STAGE. SUCH DECISIONS COULD ONLY BE
TAKEN ONCE THE GENERAL CONCEPT HAS BEEN EXPLAINED TO THE CHINESE
AND THEY HAVE BEEN DRAWN INTO DISCUSSION OF THEIR OWN INTENTIONS
FOR THE PERIOD IMMEDIATELY AFTER 1997.
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