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stance on
LegCo
package of
contrary to
should be
Basic Law.
amendments. They have said that an amended
proposals would not be acceptable if it were still
the Basic Law: by implication, an amended package
acceptable if it conforms in their view with the
THE CASE FOR AND AGAINST AMENDMENT
10
of
The general expectation is that, whatever the shape
our proposals, once introduced into LegCo there will be
considerable debate and the proposals will probably be amended
in some form before enactment. What is at issue now is
whether the Government should take steps to amend
these proposals before introducing them to the LegCo.
11
The
case for amending the proposals before
introduction into LegCo is as follows:
(a) It would give a clear signal to the Chinese that
we are prepared to amend the
proposals in a way
which is closer to their ideas and thus, it is
argued, would make them more disposed towards
resolution
discussion.
of
the
present dispute through
(NB : It should, however, be remembered
that there is likely to be a gulf between what the
Chinese want and what we are prepared to concede.
Thus we are talking here of a gesture.]
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