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Miss Saunders
CONFIDENTIAL
+ HABOR/!
Pl include in list of points
2 - JUK 1991
p_a.
26)
-Constitution (Future)
SOUTÜR
FROM: A R Paul
Hong Kong Department
for discussion with Govenor
DATE: 7 June 1991
2 +
megful
Dr
an
cc: Mr Burns
Copy Seen and
16
Signed by his
岖
Sir J Coles
HONG KONG: CBF MEMBERSHIP OF EXCO
Thank you for your minute of 6′ June about whether the next CBF should be a member of ExCo.
1.
2. As far as I am aware, the Governor has not consulted us formally about this matter. But I too had obtained the impression, from the previous CBF, I think, that this was in the Governor's mind. It is therefore no surprise to learn that the issue will arise when the present CBF is replaced.
3. I am sure that the principal reason for this is that given in paragraph 3 of your minute. However, in my view the "mirror image" argument is nonsense. If the Chinese really want the SAR Chief Executive to have the Commander of the PLA on ExCo, they will no doubt get their way. Removing the CBF from EXCO before 1997 will not weaken their ability to do so. Nor, in my view, is it likely to lessen the possibility that the question will arise in the Chinese minds.
4.
On the other hand, I sympathise with the CBF's view that membership of ExCo gives him a valuable means of keeping in touch with the mood of the administration and the territory more generally. I think he is right to argue that this could become more important as 1997 approaches.
A
5. A further point, which he does, not mention, is the important contribution he makes to promoting Hong Kong's interests in London and, more specifically, with the MOD. case in point is his eloquent advocacy of retention of the patrol craft. We can expect the CBF to play a similarly useful role in respect of the future of the Gurkhas and other future garrison matters. He will be less able to do so without the vital link to the policy making in Hong Kong which membership of ExCo provides.
6.
As far as I am aware, the CBF's membership of ExCo is not in the least controversial in Hong Kong. I do not know of any general feeling in ExCo that the CBF constitutes a "cuckoo in the nest", although I may be wrong about this.
JONAGD
CONFIDENTIAL