2.E. BEIJING CEYPTEL
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SECRET
serious, practical, carefully considered proposals.
Nothing
in the Basic Law, the NPC Decisions or past exchanges between the two Foreign Ministers prevents you from considering them.
Nothing can justify your refusing to do so. So I again call
on you now to recognise the facts of this matter and to give positive consideration to the proposals which we have made.
NPC/CPPCC MEMBERS]
9.
During our last round I clearly explained why in the
circumstances of 1995 it would not be appropriate for us to
give seats on the Election Committee as of right to those Hong
Kong people who have been appointed as NPC deputies or CPPCC
members. I may say that I had hoped that you would
immediately understand the point which I was making and not force me into further elaboration of the specific objections
to your proposal. I wish to show sensitivity for the high position which the Chinese Government gives to NPC Deputies
and CPPCC members, so it remains my view that it is not
helpful to explain the difficulties at great length. But I hope that the Chinese side will also show sensitivity to our
position and recognise its reasonableness.
10. A central point, which the Chinese side should find easy
to understand, is that in 1995 Hong Kong will still be under
British administration. It would therefore be quite
inappropriate to guarantee positions on the Election Committee
to persons whose only claim to these positions was their