NESAAT (7)
REFERENDUM ON PACE OF DEMOCRATISATION?
Referendum can only work if there is a simple question to be asked. But the issues to be decided in this area are complex ones.
Do not believe that referendum would help to achieve consensus in
Hong Kong.
NEED FOR MINISTERIAL SYSTEM IN HONG KONG
Main focus of debate in Hong Kong has been on pace of introducing direct elections to legislature. Developments under
discussion do not preclude introduction of ministerial system in due
course. But that would be major new departure, which we need to be
fully discussed and debated in territory.
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FIRST CHIEF EXECUTIVE SHOULD BE ELECTED IN SAME WAY AS PROPOSED IN
BASIC LAW FOR SECOND AND THIRD CHIEF EXECUTIVE (FAC RECOMMENDATION)
OMELCO unanimously concluded that Chief Executive should be
directly elected by 2003, ie from the term of second Chief
Executive.
We will need to see whether views evolve further before coming to
any firm conclusions.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE SHOULD RESIGN IF IN IRRECONCILABLE CONFLICT WITH
LEGISLATURE (FAC RECOMMENDATION)
All the Foreign Affairs Committee's recommendations will need to
be carefully considered, in the light of views in Hong Kong. Not
ready to come to any firm conclusions.
Draft Basic Law provides for impeachment of Chief Executive by
SAR legislature for serious breach of law or dereliction of duty.