CONFIDENTIAL
Jon
Constit sept
(Caum 73121)
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 1407
OF 221033Z SEPTEMBER 92
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
INFO ROUTINE UKREP JLG HONG KONG
Miz 01216
TOP COPY
Q DIST?
MDHOAN /1209
MIPT: CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S SPEAKING NOTES FOR USE WITH THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER IN NEW YORK ON 25 SEPTEMBER:
THE GOVERNOR WILL BE MAKING HIS FIRST ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON 7 OCTOBER.
BRITAIN AND CHINA SHARE A COMMITMENT TO THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. TO FULFIL THIS WE NEED GOOD COOPERATION BASED ON A FRANK DIALOGUE AND MUTUAL TRUST.
- IN THAT SPIRIT, I WISH TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE MAIN POINTS ON CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES OF THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.
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YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE EXTREME SENSITIVITY OF THIS INFORMATION BEFORE 7 OCTOBER. IT IS OF THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE THAT IT IS TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE. SURE THAT I CAN TRUST YOU.
THE GOVERNOR WILL BE ANNOUNCING CHANGES TO THE COMPOSITION OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, AND THE MANAGEMENT OF RELATIONS WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE GOVERNOR CONSIDERS THESE CHANGES NECESSARY FOR THE EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG UNTIL 1 JULY 1997. THEY DO NOT AFFECT CONVERGENCE, SINCE THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE MIGHT WISH TO MAKE DIFFERENT ARRANGEMENTS AFTER 1 JULY 1997. ON THESE ISSUES, THEREFORE, THE GOVERNOR WILL BE ANNOUNCING DECISIONS.
WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY UNDERTAKEN TO DISCUSS THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1995 ELECTIONS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE, IN THE INTERESTS OF ENSURING TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE CONVERGENCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE BASIC LAW. ON THESE ISSUES THEREFORE THE GOVERNOR WILL BE ANNOUNCING PROPOSALS. THESE WILL BE FOR
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CONFIDENTIAL