CONFIDENTIAL
DESKBY
than to vote against the motion.
6.
Where the longer term strategy is concerned, I note Sir R
McLaren's suggestion of some repackaging of our constitutional
proposals (Peking telnos 1472 and 1500) and your reaction to this
in para 8 of tur. There are of course intermediate scenarios
which could also arise, for example if Chinese counter-proposals
are put forward and we consider them, as we have undertaken to
do. There is also the question of how we position ourselves in
relation to the Chinese so as to deprive them of plausible arguments and leave ourselves the best possible chance of
securing a positive vote in LegCo.
7. It would be helpful if all these aspects of the end game
could be discussed at the time of your return to London in
mid-November. This would be an excellent opportunity for a
collective discussion: and I am suggesting to the Prime Minister
a meeting of OPD (K) for 18 November. In advance of that I should
Like to talk matters through with both yourself and Sir R McLaren, and I should be grateful if Sir R McLaren could arrange
to return to London for that purpose. It will also be helpful to
have your own further thoughts on the longer-term strategy if at
all possible by 5 November, to enable us to make the preparations
for collective discussion among Ministers.
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