XN000022-1993-04-06 — Page 9

TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1993

between Britain and China. So put furniture metaphors on one

side. We have no doubt at all that the talks are between Britain

and China.

Second, there is no question either that the talks will take

place in Beijing. I do not think, even if the talks take place

in Beijing, that it is possible to hold talks about the future

of Hong Kong in Beijing without somebody in the media finding out

about it. But that remains an unresolved issue between Britain

and China.

Third,

there is no question of the basis of talks.

Chinese suggested that the talks should be on the basis of:

(i) the Joint Declaration,

convergence with the basic law,

The

(ii)

(iii) the relevant

understandings

between Britain and China.

and

agreements

And we said, 'Absolutely fine' to that. So, on that basis, talks

could start tomorrow. Indeed, on that basis, talks could start

this afternoon.

Who proposed talks

Britain or China?

Britain. Who has

P

raised pre-conditions for those talks Britain or China? Well

let me show how diplomatic I have become - not Britain. I repeat

what I said earlier. I hope that talks can start. I hope that

talks can start very soon. I hope that talks can start in, to

borrow a phrase, a spirit of sincerity on both sides. I do not

kid myself any more than, I am sure, Director Lu Ping would kid

himself that talks would be a pushover. Talks, were they to take place, would be extremely difficult, because we are clearly discussing issues on which both of us feel very strongly.

/BUT TALKS

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