SECRET
SECRET
MAR azk
Ria: Cons Issue.
Derpt (China &
0056454)
MDHIAN 8055-
805 D
FM PEKING
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 1245
OF 070838Z SEPTEMBER 92
INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG, UKREP JLG HONG KONG
TOP COPY Q DIST ?
PERSONAL FOR HUM, AUSS
HONG KONG PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR
UKREP JLG PERSONAK FOR GALSWORTHY
(105) MN3012/2 (106)
HONG KONG TELNO 2236′ AND FCO TELNO 1329: GOVERNOR'S SPEECH TO LEGCO: CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES
1. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THIS SIGHT OF THE CURRENT DRAFT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES SECTION OF THE GOVERNOR'S LEGCO SPEECH.
2. WE AGREE WITH THE POINTS MADE IN 2ND TUR, IN PARTICULAR THAT DURING THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT HERE LU PING WILL EXPECT TO COVER IN DETAIL ALL THE CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES RAISED IN THE LEGCO ADDRESS. IF THE CHINESE REACT NEGATIVELY TO WHAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE TELLS THEM IN NEW YORK ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S PLANS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT THEN WE SUPPOSE THE GOVERNOR WOULD WANT TO TAKE THIS INTO ACCOUNT IN THE WORDING OF PARA 26 OF THE SPEECH.
3.
ANOTHER RELEVANT FACTOR IS THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE MEETING ON 9 SEPTEMBER. RECENT STIRRINGS IN THE CHINESE UNDERGROWTH MAY/MAY INDICATE THE PROSPECT OF POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS AT THAT MEETING. WE HAVE REJECTED ANY LINKAGE BETWEEN CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE AIRPORT. BUT CHINESE ATTEMPTS AT FINDING A FACE-SAVING (FOR THEM) WAY OUT OF THE AIRPORT IMPASSE COULD BE JEOPARDISED BY TOO PUBLIC A DISAGREEMENT ON CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS. A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME ON THE AIRPORT WHICH LED TO APPROVAL OF THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MIGHT REDUCE ANY DISAPPOINTMENT IN HONG KONG IF, AS SEEMS LIKELY, THE CHINESE CAN NOT BE PERSUADED TO AGREE TO AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS FOR THE 1995 LEGCO ELECTIONS.
MCLEAN
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