XN000022-1993-03-19 — Page 2

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1993

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EXCO TO CONSIDER ELECTION BILL

THE

LEGISLATIVE

THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WILL OBVIOUSLY CONSIDER NEXT TUESDAY INTRODUCTION OF THE BILL ON ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENT TO THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, (FRIDAY).

SAID TODAY

SPEAKING TO REPORTERS BEFORE ATTENDING A LUNCH WITH LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "I AM SURE WE'LL TAKE A SENSIBLE DECISION, TAKING ACCOUNT BOTH OF THE BUSINESS WHICH IS ALREADY IN FRONT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE OTHER DEVELOPMENTS."

ASKED IF HE WOULD TAKE ANY INITIATIVES TO RESUME TALKS, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS READY AT ANY TIME TO TALK.

"WE COULD START TALKS TOMORROW ON EXACTLY THE SAME REASONABLE FAIR BASIS THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING WITH CHINA FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS OR MORE.

AND

"BUT IF THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE, AND IF CHINA PUTS NEW DIFFICULTIES AND OBJECTIONS IN THE WAY WHICH WOULD SIDELINE HONG KONG, WHICH WOULD IN SOME RESPECTS HUMILIATE HONG KONG, AND IF THAT'S THE SITUATION, WE SHALL HAVE TO MOVE ON.

"I AM SURE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL WANT TO START DEBATING MATTERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

ON WHETHER THERE HAD BEEN FURTHER COMMUNICATION WITH THE CHINESE SIDE, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE LAST COMMUNICATION WAS THE RATHER DISAPPOINTING MESSAGE FROM DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OFFICE UNDER CHINA'S STATE COUNCIL, MR LU PING, THE OTHER DAY.

"OBVIOUSLY, IF TALKS ARE AS HE SAID IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE TIME BEING, THEN WE MUST GET ON WITH THE BUSINESS OF GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG, AND GET ON WITH THE BUSINESS OF TAKING DECISIONS ABOUT THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1994 AND 95, HE ADDED.

IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION FROM THE PRESS AFTER ATTENDING THE LUNCH, THE GOVERNOR STRESSED THAT HE WOULD GO ON WORKING IN THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE AND TRYING TO ENSURE AS BROADLY BASED AND CREDIBLE A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN HONG KONG.

HE SAID IT WAS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT WAYS IN WHICH HONG KONG COULD SECURE THE RULE OF LAW AND ITS FUTURE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY.

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