D
5
CONFIDENTIAL
The motion suggested in paragraph 2 of Mr Paul's minute
(discussed with PRU) seems on the right lines.
2. I agree that an opening speech confined to selected important
themes would be better than a more comprehensive statement. Given
the Hong Kong audience, it might be worth adding a section on the
Vietnamese Refugee problem, unless the Secretary of State feels
that last month's Adjournment Debate gave the subject adequate
exposure.
3. A key section will be the one dealing with representative
government. While the Secretary of State will not be able to
announce white paper decisions in advance, a limited degree of
"unveiling" would in my view be justified. The object would be
to leave the clear impression, reading between the lines, that
the introduction of an element of direct elections in the next
few years, (but not in 1988) is on the cards. The Governor gave
a strong hint in this direction during his press conference
on 24 November (see sidelined passage on page 3 of the transcript).
4 January 1988
cc:
PS/Lord Glenarthur
Mr Gillmore PS/Mr Eggar
PRU
выбор
RJT McLaren