OCMIAN 7145
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562
TOP COPY Q DIST ?
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OO HOKON
FM FCOLN TO HOKON
RECEIVED IN
221300Z DEC
GRS 520
29 DEC 1986
DESK -FIC R
INDEX
on Taken
SECRET
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 2936
OF 22130OZ DECEMBER 86
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
538
539
YOUR TELNOS 4147-8 AND PEKING TELNO 2396: 1987 REVIEW OF THE
DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT: THE SURVEY OFFICE
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1.
WE HAVE CONSULTED MINISTERS ON THE PROPOSALS SUMMARISED
IN YOUR TURS. THEY AGREE IN PRINCIPLE WITH YOUR PROPOSED
ARRANGEMENTS FOR CREATING A SURVEY OFFICE WITH MONITORS AND ARE
CONTENT FOR YOU TO CONSULT EXCO FORMALLY AS YOU PROPOSE. THIS
WOULD OF COURSE BE WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE WIDER QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE CONDUCT AND TIMING OF THE 1987 REVIEW ON WHICH WE
ARE IN SEPARATE CORRESPONDENCE WITH YOU.
2.
WE DOUBT WHETHER AT THIS STAGE WE CAN COME TO ANY FIRM CONCLUSIONS ABOUT HOW THE IDEA IS TO BE PRESENTED TO THE CHINESE. WE HAVE CAREFULLY NOTED EXCO'S VIEW (PARA 4 OF YOUR FIRST TUR)
AND PEKING'S ASSESSMENT. BUT THE EXACT TIMING AND MANNER OF OUR
INFORMING THE CHINESE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE GENERAL STRATEGY WE
DECIDE TO ADOPT IN RESPONSE TO CHINESE REQUESTS FOR PRIOR
CONSULTATION ON THE GREEN PAPER ITSELF. THIS IN TURN WILL BE A
KEY ELEMENT IN OUR DIALOGUE WITH THE CHINESE IN THE EARLY
MONTHS OF 1987. WE SHALL NEED TO REVIEW ALL THE OPTIONS AS SOON
AS WE HAVE A CLEARER VIEW OF THE RELEVANT ELEMENTS, INCLUDING THE
APPOINTMENT AND INSTALLATION OF THE NEW GOVERNOR. GRATEFUL IF YOU
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