A
MMB 017/1
SECRET
FROM:
29 JAN 1993
PF Ricketts
Hong Kong Department
44
sir & coles
:
PS/Mr Goodlad
TONG TO VGA
1.
pan
DATE:
29 January 1993
P.
CC:
Mr Davies, FED
A..
Mr Wye, RAD
THIS IS A COPY
THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN CLOSED UNDER
FOI EXEMPTION NO. 27.....
CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
I have been sent a copy of the ExCo paper, for discussion on 2 February, on the issue of whether the Governor's proposals should be amended before they are tabled in LegCo in legislative form. ExCo have already had two inconclusive discussions of this. The paper leans against amendment before tabling and the 2 February discussion could be decisive.
B
Ω
2.
One point not covered in the ExCo paper is the likely Chinese reaction to a decision to table the legislation without amendment. They might take this as a cue for further measures. They might also conclude that tabling unamended legislation made it impossible to hold discussions with us.
3. We are still awaiting Lu Ping's response to Sir R McLaren's approach on 14 January in which he reiterated our willingness to hold discussions without pre-conditions. I recommend that we seek Sir R McLaren's views on the likely Chinese response to a decision to go ahead and table legislation before we have heard from Lu Ping; and flag up for the Governor the advantages of continuing the discussion in ExCo for another two weeks or so to give Lu Ping the fullest opportunity to respond to us on the question of talks.
4.
I submit a draft telegram. This seeks to avoid any impression that we are nannying the Governor. But I believe this is a gap in the ExCo paper that needs filling.
R-Zehett
PF Ricketts
છે
I had it would be
free.
helpful to the forener to have
there issues aired.
SECRET
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