37-OCT-1993 11:43
HK GOVERNMENT HOUSE
End
852 521 1868
P.04
Constitutional Development
4.
never
Mr Goodlad stressed that the constitutional package presented by the Governor last year was a proposal only. It had been intended to be a final decision on the arrangements for the 1994-95 elections. The revised proposal made by the British side was only a natural course of development during negotiations between two governments. It was an attempt to address the Chinese concern as
well as the clear aspirations of the community for the British and Chinese Governments to reach agreement. The revised proposal, in HMG's view, would not compromise the principles of fair and open elections. Mr Goodlad declined the suggestion of a referendum to gauge public acceptance of the constitutional package. He emphasised that when the relevant draft legislation ultimately presented to the Legislative Council, it would be a matter for the Council to decide whether or not the package was acceptable to the people of Hong Kong.
5.
In reply to a Member, Mr Goodlad said that no deadline had been set for the conclusion of the Sino-British talks but it was apparent that time was running out for the preparation of the elections. Whilst the British team was still endeavouring to secure agreement with its Chinese counterpart, he would not speculate on the outcome of the talks. However, he stressed that the British team would not compromise its principles for the sake of reaching agreement. Any decision on the constitutional arrangements would be made on the basis that they be fair, open and acceptable to the people of Hong Kong. Efforts were also made to seek agreement with the Chinese Government on objective criteria for the "through train".
6.
On a suggestion to separate the 1994 District Board elections from the 1995 Municipal Councils and Legislative Council elections, Mr Goodlad commented that this was not preferred because the proposals affecting both sets of elections were inter-related and should be considered as a package.
Application of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) after 1997
and
Mr Goodlad reassured Members that the Joint Declaration the Basic Law had
specifically provided for the continued application of existing international treaties affecting Hong Kong such as the ICCPR. The Joint Liaison Group (JLG) was still in discussion on the necessary action required on both sides.
8.
In
response to Members' concern, Mr Goodlad said that the British team had been working extremely hard to achieve progress in JLG.
He was not aware of any delay being created by the British side. HMG was also very much concerned about the slow progress made by the JLG.
The Foreign Secretary, The Rt Hon Douglas Hurd, had conveyed this very clearly to the Chinese Foreign Minister, Mr Qian Qichen when they met in New York
earlier.