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SECRET
11857
1
OF THE BASIC LAW DEALING WITH THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE WILL HAVE
BEEN FINALISED OR PUBLISHED EVEN IF PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE
PAPER IS DEFERRED UNTIL THE END OF 1988. MOREOVER DEPARTURE TO
THIS EXTENT FROM THE PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED TIMETABLE WOULD PROVOKE
VERY SERIOUS CRITICISM IN HONG KONG, AND ALMOST CERTAINLY ALSO IN
PARLIAMENT. WE WOULD BE ACCUSED OF GIVING IN TO PRESSURE FROM
THE CHINESE AND DELAYING THE REVIEW BECAUSE OF THEIR KNOWN
OBJECTIONS. IT IS THE VIEW OF THE ACTING GOVERNOR, IN THE LIGHT
OF INFORMAL CONSULTATION WITH EXCO, THAT SUCH A DELAY WOULD NOT
BE PUBLICLY ACCEPTABLE IN HONG KONG, AND THAT THE EFFECT ON
CONFIDENCE WOULD BE SERIOUS. HE IS CERTAIN THAT NEITHER EXCO NOR
LEGCO WOULD AGREE TO IT.
ENDS
REMAINDER OF TEXT FOLLOWS IN MY 3 IFTS.
HOWE
OCMIAN 1857
HONG KONG AGREEMENT: RESTRICTED
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