22-MAY-1992 10:05
FCO NEWS DEPT
071 270 3734
SUREFHX DI
RTHK (SALLY BLYTH) INTERVIEW WITH MR ALISTAIR GOODLAD
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Britain has for the first time said that it plans to start early negotiations with China on more democracy for Hong Kong. Speaking in an RTHK interview before leaving London for Hong Kong tomorrow the Foreign Office Minister, Alistair Goodl ad said talks will start reasonably soon. And he said the iague was top of the new Governor, Chris Patten's agenda. Mr Goodlad has also confirmed that he would be discussing the continuing dispute with China over the airport when he meets the head of the New China News Agency Zhou Nan.
I spoke to Mr Goodlad and first asked him about Britalas plaas for more démocracy following his talks in London with different Hong Kong Groups.
Mr Goodl ad
I have had some very helpful discussions in London with people from Hong Kong about the 1995 Legco elections and I look forward to having some very wide ranging discussion with people in Hong Kong next week. The decision on the number of directly elected seats will be made reasonbly soon because varicus other arrangements depend on it and it is obviously going to be one of the subjects at the top of the new Governor's agenda No ale going to need to Lake decisions vu it and a whole range v2
SELUB when he has formed his view after consulting very widely in Hong Kong.
Sally Blyth
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Can you qualify reasonably soon' reasonably soon people who you have met in London is the Conservative Legislators who've asked Britain to go back to China on thi question sooner rather than later?
Mr Goodlað
I think I will stand on the expression / reasonably soon. I couldn't put a precise date on it but it will be at a suitable time.
Sally Blyth
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