HKD
place in September 1991. The ultimate aim is the election of all members of the Legislative Council by universal suffrage.
In Apri 1990 legislation was passed to give British citizenship to 50,000 key people in Hong Kong and their dependants without their having to leave the territory in order to qualify. Its purpose is to persuade these people to remain in Hong Kong so that the territory can remain stable and prosperous up to and beyond 1997.
International
Peace and Security Britain is pledged to maintain effective defence while seeking to reduce tension in the world. Since 1949 its defence has been based on membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), a defensive alliance based on the principle of collective security. In November 1991 NATO members set out a new strategic concept which emphasised the role of the Alliance as a source of stability during the radical changes taking place in Eastern and Central Europe and among states of the former Soviet Union.
East-West Relations
Britain welcomes further improvements in East-West relations including:
* United States-Russian intiatives in nuclear weapons control and in the Middle East peace process;
the expansion in the number of states participating in the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE); and
* the Open Skies agreement which will allow reconnaissance flights
over CSCE member states' territory.
Britain supports reforms made by the democratically elected
governments in Eastern and Central Europe, and welcomes the establishment of the Commonwealth of Independent States following
Ger poool. the break-up of the Soviet Union at the end of 1991. Britain is also committed to the need to give the new independent states support and co-operation.
Economic Assistance
26