SECRET
pa. Legl115.
117251
MDHOAN 1641
SECRET FM FCO
TO DESKBY 01010OZ HONG KONG
TELNO 1010
OF 301956Z NOVEMBER 93
UAPEB H26 012/3.1
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM SECRETARY OF STATE
YOUR TELNO 1795: YOUR SPEECH TO LEGCO ON 2 DECEMBER
1.
# ?
We discussed on the telephone at the weekend the broad Line which we would both take in public.
2.
I have now seen a draft of your statement to LegCo. I know that you are still working on it. The Department will let you have some drafting suggestions separately. It strikes me as very much on the right lines.
3. I am sure that our aim should be to make it as difficult as possible for the Chinese side or their sympathisers to use decision to press ahead with the uncontroversial issues as a reason to break off the talks. I therefore agree that you should emphasise that we are taking these steps for practical and political reasons, that wherever possible, the Legislation will be based on points agreed in the talks, and that we still want to continue discussion of the remaining issues.
4. In working further on the text, you might look again at one or two points which could give a flavour, as now drafted, that the talks are over or that we saw no prospect at all of reaching agreement on the remaining issues (eg the second paragraph of page 1, the penultimate paragraph on page 2, and the end of the last full paragraph on page 6).
5. In press briefing over the next few days, I think we should similarly keep the emphasis on our wish to continue the process provided that the Chinese side are also ready to do so.
We may need to make later the harder-hitting points about underlying Chinese motives in the talks. But to minimise criticism from the Chinese and those who like a comfortable life, I hope We can maintain a measured line for as long as possible.
HURD