ROEABG
SECRETARY OF STATE'S STATEMENT ON HONG KONG, 17
JANUARY
SUPPLEMENTARIES
A.
CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
WHY NOT TAKE A DECISION NOW?
Will wish to consider carefully views expressed
to me in Hong Kong. As must be clear this is a
complex issue.
Want to be absolutely sure that the decision we make is in Hong Kong's best and long term
interests.
WILL YOU SIMPLY FALL IN BEHIND THE CHINESE?
This has never been our policy.
for us to take.
Decisions are
As I have made clear, we are very keen to see a rapid start to democracy in Hong Kong and to introduce a system which will be developed up to
and beyond 1997.
Clear that this woul be the best way to
proceed.
Chinese.
This does not mean falling in behind the But it does mean taking account in our decision of contacts we have had with China on this
subject.