SECRET
ZCZC
SECRET
FM FCO
TO DESKBY 12010OZ HONG KONG
TELNO
OF 111420Z NOVEMBER 93
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG
HONG KONG ELECTORAL TALKS: OATH OF ALLEGIANCE
DESKBY
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.
2. On point of detail, we wonder whether we need to set our face 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.
2B. We share the doubts expressed in Nigel Cox's letter of 10 November about the inclusion of the reference to Hong Kong being an inalienable part of China. The Chinese side have not sought this, and it has no particular attraction for us. We suggest
HKD
S
Late time
mafarance
that
R.A.J.BUNTEN
270 2655
Toloniam number
Processes