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43 166642
TOP COP Q-DIST?
MDHIAN 3165
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FM WASHINGTON
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 1017
OF 072348Z MAY 92
INFO IMMEDIATE HONK KONG, PEKING, ACTOR
HKD 021/2
1007
2B
US/HONG KONG: THE US/HONG KONG POLICY ACT (THE MCCONNELL BILL)
SUMMARY
1
NEW VERSION OF MCCONNELL BILL DROPS REQUIREMENT FOR REPORT ON THE JD. BUT CALLS FOR FAIRLY EXTENSIVE REPORT ON CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG OF INTEREST TO THE US (INCLUDING DEMOCRACY). THE ADMINISTRATION ARE LIKELY TO SUPPORT IT.
DETAIL
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2.
ON 7 MAY THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE MARKED UP WITH MCCONNELL'S AGREEMENT AN AMENDED VERSION OF THE MCCONNELL BILL. THIS DROPPED THE REQUIREMENT FOR A REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION
OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. INSTEAD IT CALLED FOR A REPORT - AT 18 MONTHLY INTERVALS ON QUOTE CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG OF INTEREST TO
THE UNITED STATES UNQUOTE. THIS SHOULD ADDRESS:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
3.
SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN US/HONG KONG RELATIONS, INCLUDING A DESCRIPTION OF US/HONG KONG AGREEMENTS
DEVELOPMENTS RELATED TO THE CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONG
KONG AFFECTING US INTERESTS OR RELATIONS WITH HONG KONG US CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND ACADEMIC EXCHANGES THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF HONG KONG'S PARTICIPATION IN MULTILATERAL FORA.
THE AMENDED VERSION ALSO CALLS ON THE ADMINISTRATION TO REPORT TO CONGRESS IF HONG KONG IS UNABLE TO FULFIL ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER ANY INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO BETWEEN THE US AND HONG KONG, OR BETWEEN THE US AND THE UK BUT APPLICABLE TO HONG KONG, BEFORE JUNE 30 1997. (SENATE STAFFERS HAVE TOLD US THAT THIS IS INTENDED TO HELP IDENTIFY INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS WHICH, FOR WHATEVER REASON WILL NOT BE APPLICABLE TO HONG KONG AFTER 1997.)
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