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WHITE PAPER ON ELECTORAL TALKS: SUMMARY OF HKG COMMENTS
ON MR. RICKETTS' 3 SEPTEMBER DRAFT
Ne f
This paper seeks to summarise Ad Hoc Group members' comments on Mr. Ricketts' White Paper draft, as an aid to discussion at the Governor's meeting at 5 pm on Friday, 10 September. The majority view on the draft was that it represented an admirable attempt at setting out HKG/HMG's position and comments were put forward in the spirit of building on this very strong framework.
2.
Both general comments and specific drafting changes have been suggested and Head/CPU has produced a more wide-ranging critique (which is attached in full to this note).
3.
(i)
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(ii)
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(iii)
(iv)
(v)
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First, the general comments:
One purpose of the White Paper will be to rebut as clearly as possible
possible the main criticisms which will be levelled at us from various directions either in the event of an agreement or breakdown. Before we go much further, should draw up a list of these and include more material on one or two in the White Paper [see specific proposals below under paragraphs 7, 17 and 18]. (Atg PA)
If
We will need a title for the White Paper. the title is to refer specifically to electoral talks, the present draft may go too far back into history. Consideration may need
need to be given to shortening the historical account in the first section of the draft. (PS/GH)
The draft will need a conclusion or recommended course of action in due course. (PS/GH)
We must be consistent with the use of "British side", "HMG" and "HMG and HKG" particularly in Chapter 2 of the draft. As it stands, the draft could confuse readers into thinking that there is a difference of opinion between Her Majesty's Government and the Hong Kong Government on several issues and that it has been the British Government which suggested different or revised proposals to the Governor's constitutional package. (PS/GH)
A section on the position of public opinion in Hong Kong throughout the process should be included in the draft. (PS/GH, IC & EL)
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"Chapter I is nearly als
about thin