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unacceptable. Their line is likely to be that it would be better to have no agreement rather than a bad one. It is
possible that they may also raise human rights issues such as
signature by China of the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights. We have provided a defensive line.
4.
On
As Ministers are aware, Martin Lee has fairly regular,
strictly confidential, meetings with the Governor in Hong Kong.
These meetings are designed to maintain good lines of
communication with important strands of thinking not represented on ExCo and, as far as possible, to keep the UDHK on side.
this channel Martin Lee has told the Governor the UDHK privately
will accept that we both have to compromise with China over electoral
arrangements, and that LegCo is likely to pass unamended any
understanding that we reach. He has emphasised therefore that
we should hold out for the most democratic deal we can strike.
K.
Sanders
KAM Saunders
Lee.sos.PR
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SLM