XN000022-1984-10-15 — Page 25

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1984

POWER STARTED AT THE TOP, HE SAID, AND THE JOINT DECLARATION PROVIDED FOR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE TO BE APPOINTED BY THE CENTRAL PEOPLE'S GOVERNMENT ON THE BASIS OF ELECTIONS OR CONSULTATIONS HELD LOCALLY. THESE TERMS WERE NOT DEFINED AND WE HAD NO ASSURANCE THAT THE CHINESE PERCEPTION OF THEM WAS THE SAME AS OURS.

THE LEGISLATURE WOULD BE CONSTITUTED BY ELECTIONS, BUT WHERE WERE THE SAFEGUARDS THAT ELECTIONS WOULD BE FREE AND GENUINE?

+ INFILTRATION OF THE SYSTEM AND SUPPRESSION OF DISSENT BY PRESSURE OR FEAR IS OUR GREATEST DANGER, HE SAID.

THE +DESPITE THE DETAIL CONTAINED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION, PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ARE STILL BEING ASKED TO TAKE A LOT ON TRUST.

+1 DON'T BELIEVE ANYONE IS PACKING HIS BAGS BECAUSE OF THE AGREEMENT: HE WILL CONTINUE TO WAIT AND SEE, BUT THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE THE LUXURY OF CHOICE.

+I CANNOT ENDORSE THE AGREEMENT OR COMMEND IT TO THEM IN

THE FACE OF THESE RESERVATIONS. I WILL THEREFORE ABSTAIN FROM VOTING ON THE MOTION, MR SWAINE DECLARED.

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