ANNEX B6
CONFIDENTIAL
Decision to leave the matter until closer to 1997
Hong Kong is unique in that its future has been determined
well in advance. In other territories moving to
independence, the change was usually sudden and the conditions agreed for HMOCS members only put place shortly before independence. But one could argue that there are
historical precedents for not taking action until much
nearer 1997.
Set against this are the many reassurances by Ministers in
correspondence that we aim to make clear our intentions "as
soon as possible", Mr Maude in April 1990, and repeated
every so often since then. A decision to defer
consideration would then be seen as reneging on stated
intentions.
BODAFN/1
CONFIDENTIAL