1
international community has to recognise
-
and especially the United States
и
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that, if that policy of first asylum is to be preserved, then we have to
implement all four elements of the Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Chairman: Thank you very much indeed. Could we now leave this
subject to turn to constitutional development in the Territory? Mr Shore.
1997.
28.
Mr Shore
Minister, as I am sure you are aware, this Committee attaches
very great importance to the process of democratisation in Hong Kong before
Indeed, I think we made proposals for 100 percent directly elected
members of LegCo before that date. Perhaps even more relevant, OMELCO
itself came out with a proposal for 50 percent before 1997. The proposals
that you have outlined in the White Paper Response indicate some
improvement on the Government's previous position but really do fall very
considerably short of both what OMELCO had wished and what we had
recommended. What I would really like to put to you is this: I cannot
believe that it is your judgment that the people of Hong Kong are not able
to operate sensibly a fully democratic system in that island, that
territory. Is the reason, therefore, that we have not gone forward with
either OMELCO's proposals or more adequate proposals that we
are still
trying to pursue a policy of converging with the Chinese Government and, in
particular, with their publication in the Basic Law of a different draft
timetable which we ourselves do not feel able to challenge?
-
(Mr Maude) I think it has been generally accepted that the process of
democratisation should be one with an upward curve. It is possible I do
not think anyone has suggested it is practical - to create instant full
democracy next year and, indeed, your Committee's own recommendations were
for 50 percent direct elections next year, 1991, followed by 100 percent
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