(c) We are thinking about our plans for six-monthly
meetings of Foreign Ministers, but the first thing is to
ensure the success of the Prime Minister's visit to Peking:
we are concentrating on that for the time being. There is
no question of Foreign Ministers striking deals over
Hong Kong's head: our objective is to give new impetus to existing co-operation for a smooth transition, eg to speed up the work of the JLG.
(d) Judical independence: should not pay too much heed to rumours flying around while discussions still under way on Court of Final Appeal: hope for early agreement. Joint Declaration and Basic Law absolutely clear about
independence of judiciary: no question of any compromise on this fundamental principle.
ARTAFT/2
ARR
A R Paul