4.
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Redacted under FOI Exemption S 27 (1):
(10)
But the prospects of a clear majority view in Hong Kong
are uncertain.
5. Given these difficulties I think we must now give
serious consideration to the option of postponing the 1987 Review exercise on the grounds that the death of the
Governor makes it impossible to stick to the original
timetable: a new Governor must be in office and fully
familiar with the situation before such an important
exercise is started. The difficulties of this course also
are formidable: but I recommend it is an option which
should now be fully examined.
6. If Ministers agree that this option should be
examined, the best starting point might be by discussion
with the Secretary of State in about 10 days time on the
basis of a paper prepared by the Department. By that time
we should have received further views from Hong Kong on the
basis of discussions when Mr Renton and I were there earlier
this week.
て
D C Wilson
CC:
Mr Gillmore Mr Fifoot
Mr Hum
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