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18. Mr McLaren noted however that all this had to take place
against a difficult background. The current atmosphere was not
good. The Chinese had to be persuaded that the Basic Law should
have popular support if it was to work. Other Hong Kong groups
should also therefore work on the Law drafters.
19.
Returning to the Right of Abode package, Brigadier Christie
said that they had had encouraging discussions with Paddy Ashdown
who was very supportive of the proposal for allowing 3.25 million people right of abode. He wondered whether public opinion was now
in fact leading the government on this issue. Mr McLaren said that
it was very unlikely that parliament would ever accept allowing all
3.25 million to have right of abode. It was now effectively a dead
issue. The focus now was on getting the Government's package as
right as possible.
20.
Brigadier Christie wondered whether Mr Maude would be able to
see members of the Chamber while on his visit in Hong Kong.
Mr McLaren said that Mr Maude would certainly be meeting members of the business community but he did not think a separate meeting with the chamber would be possible.
21.
Finally, Mr Lee raised the question of the reservation on the
two conventions regarding human rights which were currently in
force. He wondered when these would be withdrawn. Mr McLaren said
that there was no timetable as yet but pointed out that we were moving ahead with a Bill of Rights. The initiative lay with HKG.
Mr Gillmore
Mr McLaren
HKD
News Department
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