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strong case to the Chinese that such a reorganisation is
essential for the maintenance of strong, executive-led
government over the next five years; that it does not commit
them to continuing the arrangements post-1997 (the Chief Executive's position will be different in a number of ways
from the Governor's) and that the Governor intends to chair
the new "hinge" committee so as to retain control. The fact
that Martin Lee and other liberals will not be admitted to
the Governor's innermost counsels should be welcome to the
Chinese. We should refuse to be drawn into a process of consultation with the Chinese on issues of ExCo composition
and LegCo management, which relate to administration in the next five years. The Secretary of State's meeting with Qian
at New York (one week before the Governor's LegCo address)
would be the right timing to give the Chinese political forewarning.
4.
Following the Secretary of State's discussions in Hong
Kong, the Governor proposes to send more detailed proposals
in September for the Secretary of State to put to OPD (K)
colleagues. We have established with the Cabinet Office
that the only feasible date for OPD (K) in that period is
15 September.
Lichtt's
PF Ricketts
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