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CONFIDENTIAL
HONG KONG
We have been pressing the Chinese for three weeks to confirm
arrangements for talks between us on Hong Kong's electoral
issues.
The Chinese are still dragging their feet. Governor delayed publication of his legislation with the aim of getting the
talks off to the best possible start.
But we have told the Chinese that we cannot delay
indefinitely, given the need to have legislation in place
well in advance of the next round of elections.
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Governor has concluded that if we cannot announce talks
tomorrow, he will need to make a statement in the
Legislative Council explaining the position reached.
From this it will be obvious that the Chinese have been
but we hope not so much so that fills wd. becore amonitle. dilatory. They may react adversely. But we cannot afford to give the impression that we and the Governor have lost the initiative in Hong Kong. Unless the Chinese are prepared to hold talks soon, the legislative process will need to begin.
CONFIDENTIAL
Hong Kong