CONFIDENTIAL
(E)
Page 4 paragraph 2:
Add after second sentence:
(g)
"Martin Lee and other liberals may well be critical of the separation of ExCo from Legco. But they should see attractions in many of the electoral reforms. There are already
encouraging signs that the liberals are now taking a more realistic view of the prospects for achieving more directly elected seats. At Westminster
H
Page 5: End the first paragraph after "a change in 1997". Redraft and re-order following paragraphs as follows:
"It is hard to predict the Chinese reaction to the Governor's package. They will almost certainly take a hostile line at first. If it becomes necessary to go ahead without their agreement, the Chinese might (at best) reserve their position, while waiting to see how LegCo operated in practice between 1995 and 1997. worst, they could say that no-one elected in 1995 would be allowed to serve on LegCo from 1997, and/or start to make public preparations for electing a new LegCo in 1997. That would be most unsettling in Hong Kong.
Whatever the final outcome, we are likely to face several months of difficult discussions accompanied by a Chinese propaganda offensive. [Then take in passage from "That might further delay points with China".]
I plan to give the Chinese Foreign Minister to the Chinese leadership.
(h) Page 5, last paragraph: We suggest replacing
everything after the first sentence by the following
-
"If there was to be a meeting, the Governor would naturally feel that he should attend it. But a visit to London at this time would cause an immense amount of speculation, both in Hong Kong and Peking. It would also put the Governor in a difficult position in relation to his Executive Council, since he would not be able to inform them in advance (as is
CONFIDENTIAL