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THIS IS A COPY THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN CLOSED UNDER
FOI EXEMPTION NO. 27(1)
10 10 10
5.
of practical electoral arrangements.
The Chinese are
likely to jib if we propose explicitly that the talks should cover the Governor's proposals. In our response to Qian's message, the choice is therefore probably between a
very bland formula
and indicating that we shall also want to discuss practical electoral arrangements; or a slightly more pointed formula indicating that we will wish to discuss electoral proposals put forward (ie the Governor's and also those in the compendium of alternatives).
There is also the question of how we should respond to Qian's message.
Sir R McLaren sees no need for a further
message from the Secretary of State and suggests that he should be instructed to make our further points on instructions. We agree. It would be worth keeping
personal messages to Qian for moments when we have a significant political message to convey.
If the Secretary of State agrees, we will draw on this
submission and the letter to No 10 to let Hong Kong have our initial thinking before the ExCo meeting. We will also set work in hand with Hong Kong on a Steering Brief and will submit this, together with further instructions to Sir R McLaren, following the ExCo meeting next week.
Rizoliath
PF Ricketts
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