XN000022-1993-10-20 — Page 3

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993

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THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THE PROPOSED EXTENSION WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TIME FOR THE SINO-BRITISH TALKS ON ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1994/95.

"NOTHING IN THE PRESENT PROPOSAL ALTERS

ARE ONLY WEEKS REMAINING IN WHICH TO CONCLUDE

THE FACT THAT THERE AN OVERALL

IN THE TALKS, INCLUDING A DECISION ON THE NUMBER OF ELECTED COUNCIL SEATS IN THE 1995 ELECTIONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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EXTENSION NOT RELATED TO TIME LEFT FOR TALKS

AGREEMENT MUNICIPAL

THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF TIMETABLE FOR THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION TO SUBMIT ITS RECOMMENDATION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TIME LEFT FOR THE SINO-BRITISH TALKS ON 94/95 ELECTION ARRANGEMENTS, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

"WE HAD TO EXTEND THE PERIOD DURING WHICH SUBMISSIONS ARE MADE BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN TALKING FOR SO LONG ON RELATED ISSUES. SO THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OVERALL QUESTION OF HOW LONG WE HAVE GOT FOR THE TALKS."

THE

RESPONDING TO PRESS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TALKS AFTER HIS VISIT TO SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS RIGHT IN ORDER TO TRY TO GIVE THE TALKS THE BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE OF SUCCESS, TO MAKE OFFERS CONDITIONALLY ON AN ACCEPTABLE OUTCOME TO THE TALKS.

"WE'VE DONE A GREAT DEAL. WE'VE OFFERED CONDITIONAL CONCESSIONS NOT BECAUSE WE BELIEVED OUR ORIGINAL PROPOSALS WERE OTHER THAN VERY GOOD, HE SAID.

H

ON A QUESTION ON THE RECENT PUBLIC OPINION POLL, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "WHAT THE OPINION POLLS HAVE SHOWN STEADILY OVER THE LAST MONTHS IS THAT PEOPLE THINK THAT THE PROPOSALS ON ELECTIONS THAT WE'VE MADE, THAT WE'VE PUT FORWARD, ARE EXTREMELY MODEST, ARE EXTREMELY MODERATE.

"THEY REPRESENT CONSIDERABLE CONCESSIONS FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW. AND I THINK PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED IF THOSE DIDN'T FORM STEPPING STONES TO A SATISFACTORY AGREEMENT.

GOVERNOR SEES REHAB SERVICES

SAW

THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) FOR HIMSELF THE REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE INFIRMED. THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE ELDERLY IN HONG KONG BY VISITING THREE HEALTH AND WELFARE INSTITUTIONS ON THE HONG KONG ISLAND.

THE THREE INSTITUTIONS WERE THE TUNG WAH HOSPITAL, THE BUDDHIST LI KA SHING CARE AND ATTENTION HOME FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE.

/GREETED ON