XN000022-1985-01-09 — Page 21

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1985

+ IT COULD BE THE PRODUCT OF HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT TRYING, THROUGH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, TO SPEED-UP THE PROCESS OF DEMOCRATISATION IN HONG KONG, HE SAID.

+ IF THIS IS TRUE, MAY I REMIND HMG THAT PRESSURISING THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AT THIS STAGE ON A WESTMINSTER STYLE OF DEMOCRACY COULD LEAD TO DISASTROUS RESULTS. *

ON THE 1987 REVIEW, MR LEE SAID THERE WAS STRONG PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR BRINGING THE REVIEW FORWARD TO 1987 WHICH COINCIDED WITH THE SPEEDING-UP OF DEMOCRATISATION IN 1985. HOWEVER, HE BELIEVED, THE WHITE PAPER WAS LACKING IN LONG TERM VISION AND PLANNING EVEN DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD.

IT HAD RELIED ON THE REVIEW ITSELF IN 1987. IT DID NOT SAY THAT IN THE 1987 REVIEW A LONG TERM PLAN OF POLITICAL REFORM AND THE GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM SHOULD BE CLEARLY STATED UP TO 1997 AND CONTINUITY BEYOND 1997.

MR LEE ADDED THIS LACK OF LONG TERM VISION AND PLANNING BOTHERS ME BECAUSE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE A RIGHT TO KNG.. ABOUT THE FORMATION OF A GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM IN THE FUTURE.

+THEREFORE, I STRONGLY URGE THE GOVERNMENT THAT DURING THE 1987 REVIEW IT SHOULD GIVE THE PUBLIC A CLEAR INDICATION AS TO WHERE HONG KONG IS GOING IN ITS GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEM IN THE FUTURE.+

ON THE QUESTION OF AN ELECTED LEGISLATURE, MR LEE SAID THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION ON THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT SPECIFICALLY STATED THAT THE LEGISLATURE OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION SHOULD BE CONSTITUTED BY ELECTIONS.

+THE WHITE PAPER BEFORE US TODAY 13 TAKING A FIRST STEP TOWARDS CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM. WE ALL KNOW THAT THE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM WHICH IS CURRENTLY ADOPTED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS A MATTER OF THE PAST. ELECTIONS ARE INEVITABLE IN THE FUTURE.+

MR LEE CALLED FOR CAREFUL PLANNING ON THE FORMATION OF AN ELECTED LEGISLATURE.

THE AWARENESS AMONG ALL STRATA OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE CONCERNING ELECTIONS WAS GROWING AND WOULD GROW FURTHER IN THE FUTURE.

SINCE THERE WOULD BE AN ELECTED LEGISLATURE IN THE YEAPS AHEAD, MR LEE BELIEVED THAT WE MUST EXPRESS OUR OPINIONS NOW AS TO HOW WE COULD ACHIE E TITHOUT ABRUPT CHANGES.

HE SAID: BELIEVE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OUGHT TO BE EXPANDED THE FUTURE WITH A GREATER NUMBER OF UNOFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS FROM A CROSS-SOTIL OF OUR COMMUNITY.

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/+THEREFORE, I