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acceptance of the Bill of Rights by the Chinese. Should
we clarify with Hong Kong exactly what our objective is?
This is a myth. The Hong
(b) I also see that, not for the first time, the view
clearly came across (particularly from Mr Ehrman) that the Bill of Rights is something that the Hong Kong
Government never wanted; and that it was in effect
imposed upon them unilateraly by the then Foreign
Secretary, Sir Geoffrey Howe.
Kong Government were actively considering the issue of a
Bill of Rights long before Sir Geoffrey Howe announced
the intention, first to the Foreign Affairs Committee in
(I think) June 1989; and subsequently during his visit to
Hong Kong in July. The terms of his announcement in July
were of course cleared with the Governor and his team. I
think it is time we set the record straight. Perhaps
Ms Major could do a little research and draft a telegram
based on results.
CC7AFF/2
ARR
८
A R Paul
CONFIDENTIAL