Miss Brooks,
Legal Advisers
SECRET
(file)
FROM: P F Ricketts
(29)
DATE: 15 November 1993
cc: Mr Hum
Mr Bunten
1
UKB 01217
HONG KONG TALKS: THROUGH TRAIN OATH
1. Mr Bunten consulted you last week about Hong Kong's draft
of an oath. I now attach a further letter from Hong Kong indicating that, at the Governor's request, they plan to put
to ExCo on 16 November four alternatives for the clause on
subversion. I would be grateful if you could look quickly at this and let me know before the end of the day whether you see any particular reasons on legal grounds to prefer one or
another. My own feeling is that the second alternative is so
oblique as not to address the issue in worthwhile terms; and the third alternative makes an assumption that HKSAR laws will immediately be enacted under Article 23 of the Basic Law which is politically most unattractive. I therefore think that the choice is between alternative one and four, but on political rather than legal grounds.
diell
PF Ricketts
oath.min.PET
SLM
SECRET
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