UNCLASSIFIED
FM HONG KONG
UNCLASSIFIED
HAB 301/2
RECEIVED IN DEGISTRY
Ր JUL 1973 TOP COPY
DESK OFFICER
PA
REGISTRY Action Taken
ODIST?
fa
34
123350
MDLIAN 6671
INDEX
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 889
OF 021006Z JUNE
INFO PRIORITY PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG
CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT: PRESS REPORTS
1. REMARKS REPORTEDLY MADE BY MR GOODLAD DURING HIS MEETING WITH LEGCO MEMBERS YESTERDAY WERE CARRIED OUR PROMINENTLY IN THE LOCAL PRESS TODAY (2 JUNE). (WE ARE TELEGRAPHING ON THIS SEPARATELY.) THERE WAS CONTINUED CHINESE ATTACK ON THE BEC BILL AND THE LEGCO PANEL DISCUSSING THE GAZETTED PACKAGE.
NCNA OFFICIAL
2. NCNA VICE DIRECTOR ZHU YUCHENG YESTERDAY CRITICISED THE PASSAGE OF THE BEC BILL AS A 'FALSE START' AND THE LEGCO PANEL'S DECISION ON DISCUSSING THE GAZETTED PACKAGE AS POSING NEW OBSTACLES TO THE TALKS. HE SAID NEGOTIATIONS HAD TO BE BASED ON SINCERITY AND CO-OPERATION. THESE MOVES WERE DETRIMENTAL TO THE TALKS AND THE BRITISH SIDE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSEQUENCES. ZHU ALSO SAID THE CHINESE SIDE STILL HOPED THAT THE TALKS WOULD MAKE PROGRESS AND SUCCEED.
BAUHINIA MAGAZINE
3. THE PAPERS CARRIED PROMINENTLY A SIGNED COMMENTARY IN THE LATEST EDITION OF THE BAUHINIA MAGAZINE WHICH SAID THE AIM OF THE SINO-BRITISH TALKS WAS TO RESTORE MUTUAL TRUST, AND NOT TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SO-CALLED 'POLITICAL REFORMS. ENTITLED 'THE TALKS WILL BE FRUITFUL ONLY IF THEY FOLLOW THE THREE COMPLIANCES', THE ARTICLE SAID THE RESTORATION OF MUTUAL TRUST AND CO-OPERATION WAS IN THE INTERESTS OF BOTH BRITAIN AND CHINA. THIS COULD ONLY BE DONE ON THE BASIS OF THE THREE COMPLIANCES. THE ARTICLE ALSO STRESSED THAT THE TALKS CONCERNED ONLY ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1994/95. THE GOVERNOR'S PACKAGE SHOULD NOT BE RAISED AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE, NOR SHOULD ANY PROPOSAL TO 'REFORM HONG KONG'S POLITICAL SYSTEM'. MATTERS OF PRINCIPLE HAD TO BE MADE CLEAR IN THE TALKS. OTHERWISE ANY AMBIGUITY WOULD LEAD TO TROUBLES IN FUTURE. THE ARTICLE CONCLUDED THAT WHILE IT MIGHT TAKE SOME TIME TO RESOLVE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES, THEY COULD EVENTUALLY BE SETTLED.
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