1992-12-04 18:53 COMMS OFFICE (GOUT HOUSE)
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HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT.
MY VISITS ABROAD HAVE LEFT ME IN NO DOUBT HOW MANY FRIENDS HONG
KONG HAS AROUND THE WORLD. THOSE FRIENDS ADMIRE HONG KONG'S
ACHIEVEMENTS AND THEY WISH US WELL.
I AM PLEASED THAT IN MY ABSENCE THE REQUEST FOR FUNDING TO
ENABLE THE AIRPORT SITE PREPARATION CONTRACT TO PROCEED WAS APPROVED
BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE LAST FRIDAY AFTER AN INTENSIVE AND LENGTHY
DEBATE. THIS WAS A VITAL DECISION. IT ENABLES US TO TAKE AN
IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD IN HONG KONG'S AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME AND TO
CONTINUE то MEET OUR
UNDER THE MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING. THE DECISION ALSO GIVES US MORE TIME TO SEEK AGREEMENT
WITH CHINA ON THE OVERALL FINANCING PLAN; REACHING THAT AGREEMENT HAS
ALWAYS BEEN OUR PRIME AIM.
OBLIGATIONS
ON CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MEMBERS KNOW THAT I PROPOSE TO
PUT LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE AFTER THE CHINESE NEW YEAR BREAK, WHICH IS LIKELY TO MEAN
BEFORE THE END OF FEBRUARY. THE PRECISE SHAPE AND DETAIL OF THE DRAFT
LEGISLATION WILL BE DECIDED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. I AM, OF
COURSE, AWARE THAT MANY MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL HAVE COME UNDER
CONSIDERABLE PERSONAL PRESSURE OVER THESE AND RELATED MATTERS. I KNOW
THAT MEMBERS WILL CONTINUE TO BE GUIDED BY THEIR OWN JUDGMENT OF WHAT
IS BEST FOR HONG KONG AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG
KONG. THAT IS HOW IT SHOULD BE.
I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT THE CHINESE SIDE HAVE THUS FAR BEEN
UNWILLING TO ACCEPT MY OFFER OF DISCUSSIONS, OR TO PUT FORWARD THEIR
OWN IDEAS. MANY PEOPLE ARE CALLING FOR A RETURN TO SENSIBLE, RATIONAL
DIALOGUE. I HEARTILY ENDORSE THAT CALL. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO
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