new Governor would
have
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greater opportunity to
influence
drafting of Green Paper and conduct of Review.
administratively feasible without extending term of Leg Co.
Disadvantages
risk of criticism in Hong Kong that we were bowing to Chinese pressure (but probably within tolerable bounds).
an administrative scramble in making arrangements for elections
in Septembere 1988.
Option C: A year's delay
Spring 1988
Late 1988
Publish Green Paper.
Publish White Paper.
September 1989
LegCo election.
Advantages
maximum
chance
relevant
(but still not 100% certainty) that
elements of Basic Law would be known before publication of White
Paper.
maximum chance of compatibility with Basic Law and avoidance of
confrontation with Chinese.
new Governor would be firmly installed before Review took
place.
Disadvantages
a major change of intention involving unprecented constitutional
procedures (extension of LegCo).
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