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arrangements mean anything, we need to present the ideas in a way which falls short of firm decisions by the Governor at this stage. That argues to my mind for not being too specific in the speech about the precise formation of the Election Committee. Whether or not the Governor presents two options, he should at least leave something for further discussion. necessary this could be justified on the basis of wanting to hear views from the community in Hong Kong on the formation of the Election Committee.
5.
In other respects, the package looks to be shaping up well. This meeting does not seem to have addressed the question of presentation to the Chinese, either before or after the LegCo speech and this is an aspect on which we shall need to keep a particularly close watch. In the meantime, I suggest that Miss Saunders prepares a draft letter for you to send to Peter Lai, the acting Secretary for Constitutional Affairs with the point in para 4 above and any other thoughts you or copy addressees have at this stage.
6.
Since the Governor's ideas are crystalising fast, I should also be grateful if Miss Saunders could start work on preparing an OPD (K) paper. This will need a short introductory section explaining why decision are needed and on what; a passage on our commitments to the Chinese on
consultation; and a brief summary of the main points in the Governor's proposals and their political context. We can then add section on political handling (a) with the Chinese and (b) in Westminster in early September.
Belich
PF Ricketts
const.iss.PET
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