JERMENT HOUSE HONG KONG.
HED 03 MAR 93 07:27
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2
lead to an early understanding which we could recommend to the
Council. Like the Executive Council, I believe that these talks
must be concluded in time for legislation to be enacted by the
Legislative Council during its present
1994/95 elections can be held on schedule.
session SO that
the
5.
+
are
The fact we The last point is an important one.
entering talks does not alter it. My original proposals were
framed with these objectives in mind. They remain on the table.
But I made clear in my speech to this Council on 7 October, and
subsequently, that we were willing to talk with the Chinese side
about the electoral arrangements for 1995 without preconditions.
The Chinese side have now indicated that they are willing to
begin discussions. This is very welcome. In the light of this,
I have decided with the advice of the Executive Council that we
should postpone gazetting the draft legislation for the time
being in order to allow the talks to get off to the best possible
start. I believe this is a decision which the community will
support.
6.
must
reach
an
That
We all must hope it will be possible to
understanding in these discussions on electoral arrangements that
are open, fair and acceptable to the people of Hong Kong.
is our aim. There will, I can assure honourable members, be no
hidden agreements. Because at the end of the day, it will be for
you in this Council, representing the people of Hong Kong,
will have the constitutional duty to enact legislation on the
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who