OS-MAR-1993 10:37
P.004/006
Exco Meeting: The media accorded good coverage to a special Exco meeting in Governmant House last evening on progress of Sino-British discussions on whether to re-open talks over HK's constitutional reforms. Many papers noced that baroness Dunn had not attended the meeting because she was on official duty in Taiwan. The Exco members attending the meeting refused to make any comments afterwards. Nor had the Goverrument made a statement on the contents of the meeting.
Speaking to the media before the Exco meeting, the CS, Sir david Ford, rsiterated that the Goverment was willing to resume talks without any pre- conditions. However, the FCO yesterday declined to confirm whether an announcement would be made today. However, an FCD spokesman said in statement that the Governor and Legco would not be excluded from future talks. The statement added that the Governor and Exco would be fully involved in matters concerning HK's political development as before.
Legco Meeting: IC Mike Ranson said that the Governor would hold a 30-minute meeting with Legco members this afternoon. Mr Patten would give an explanation to councillors on the reasons for delaying the gazettal of the reform Bill and answer questions by Legco members. The meeting would be broadcast live by TV stations. In view of the shortage of time, mambers would be given 10 chances to raise questions. Some legislators were not happy with the arrangement by the Legco Secretariat.
The Government in a statement yesterday announced that the Governor would leave HK for a visit to Japan tonight.
LI PENG
Paul Cheng of GenCham said on his return from Peking yesterday that he got an impression from his trip that the clouds surrounding Sino-British srelations appeared to be clearing. He quoted Promier Li Peng as looking forward to resumption of talks on the basis of the "three conformities". It was believed that a result would be gained in a few wooks' rimc.
11 JIANYING
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Li Jianying, yesterday noted the importance of Sino-British co-operation. He repeated the Chinese request for Mr Patten to withdraw his reforms. HK's political development should proceed on the basis of the "three conformities", he added.