SECRET
ZCZC
SECRET
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO
OF 111303Z NOVEMBER 93
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG
NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE CHINESE OVER CONSTITUTIONAL
DEVELOPEMENT: OATH OF ALLEGIANCE
IMMEDIATE
1. We agree that you should circulate to ExCo as you propose the draft oath enclosed with Lai's letter to Ricketts of 9 November. We believe that the draft provides a good basis for what we suspect may be a lengthy exchange with the Chinese on this.
our face
2. On point of detail, we wonder whether we need to set against any reference to dedication to a smooth transition. While we agree that the JD might be read as implying a transition ending on 1 July 1997, there is some political attraction in the
concept that the transition extends either side of 1997 (cf the JLG). We suggest that if the Chinese side press this point, we could consider including something on this.
28. We share the doubts expressed in Nigel Cox's letter of 10 November about the wisdom of including the reference to Hong Kong being an inalienable part of China.
3.
HKD
R.A.J.BUNTEN
270 2655
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