GOVERMENT HOUSE HONG KONG.
TUE 09 NOU 93 69:10
PG.08
(
(b)
SECRET
We
the
have
2
reference ā included
a smooth
and
not
dedicating oath-taker
"bringing about
to
to himself transition
we
smooth transfer of power", because assume that the oath will be taken on 1 July power will have occurred by
1997 and the
transition/transfer of
(smooth
otherwise) or
then.
(c)
We
have
not
Deng's
words
at "love :
this
stage
included
the
country and love
Hong
Kong".
The two ExCo members
are
particularly worried that
such a vague form
In
of words could be interpreted (no doubt at the behest of the CPG) to mean more or less
like.
this context, they anything David Edwards also pointed out that
Law Basic 79(7) of the Article the SAR legislature to deprive a Legco member of his seat on grounds of "breach of oath",
that
empowers
ta
hich
include too many vague expres.. would allow the SAR Legco to expel some of its
circumstances. members in dubious In addition, there is also the difficulty form of words that inclusion of such a
members would pose for the 20%
Legco who might be non-Chinese nationals.
Of
that we should leave ourselves
not put e\
include in
it was felt
fat and
us to want
at
cext
In addition, some negotiating the Chinese might we put to them.
3.
Subject to your,
and Peking's comments, we would
like to show an agreed draft to ExCo at its next meeting for deployment at the next round Grateful for early comments,
November), in time
(16
of
19 talks on
November. deskby 120100Z if possible.
4.
Grateful
if
you
could
also show the draft to
the Governor's Party, visiting.
A fome an Mobile
(Peter Lai)
Deputy Secretary for Constitutional Affairs
c.c. Mr. Nigel Cox,
British Embassy, Peking
) (By classified Fax Immediate)