XN000022-1993-05-04 — Page 23

TUESDAY, MAY 4, 1993

GOVERNOR PATTEN:

Well, there are two distinct

questions. The first is are there alternatives to attaching conditions to MFN if you want to secure given

objectives in the trade field, in the weapons

proliferation field, in the human rights field. I think

there are alternative ways of pursuing those matters, and

that's one of the points I've been arguing about.

There is a second point, which is whether if you

think that some sort of conditionality is inevitable with

MFN renewal you should put yourself in the position of

actually debating what that conditionality should ideally

be. I don't think I could possibly do that. I think it

would be to give away the principle which I've been

asserting, and I don't think it would be a sensible thing

to do tactically.

But what I must ensure is that Hong Kong's

position and Hong Kong's commitment to free trade and

economic growth, as the best ways of securing social

progress, are recognized by both the administration and by

politicians.

QUESTION: Governor, have Senator Mitchell and

Congresswomen Pelosi given you any idea whether they're

really going to push through their legislation, or is it

just, at the moment, something they're threatening to do?

/GOVERNOR PATTEN:

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