TNAG-1220-FCO40-1530-Democratic-representation-and-reform-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 15

SECRET

(51,52

DD 300100Z HONG KONG

GRS 385

SECRET

DESKBY 300100Z

FM FCO 2917052 DEC 83

TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

TELEGRAM NUMBER 1401 OF 29 DECEMBER

INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING

9590 1

-

HKK: 011/3

ва

YOUR TELNOS 2033 AND 2034: FUTURE OF HONG KONG: PAPER ON

CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE

1. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE REDRAFT IN SECOND TUR. WE HAVE THE

FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS:

See(56

see

(I) IN PARAGRAPH 4 AND AT THE BEGINNING OF PARAGRAPH SIX, THE TWO COURSES OF ACTION, A AND B, MIGHT HELPFULLY BE PRESENTED RATHER LESS SHARPLY AS CONTRASTING OPTIONS. IT WOULD AFTER ALL

BE POSSIBLE, AS THE FIRST SENTENCE OF PARAGRAPH 9 IMPLIES, ΤΟ COMBINE SOME FEATURES OF BOTH METHODS IN VARYING PERMUTATIONS. (ONE EXAMPLE WOULD BE UNDER B FOR THE GOVERNOR STILL TO BE INDIRECTLY ELECTED BUT, SAY, BY THE MEMBERS OF A DIRECTLY ELECTED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL). WE SUGGEST THAT THE INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH 4 MIGHT READ: OPEN QUOTES THERE ARE A NUMBER OF POSSIBLE APPROACHES, SOME FEATURES OF WHICH WOULD BE INTERCHANGEABLE. ONE WOULD BE TO CONCENTRATE ON INDIRECT ELECTION.

AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH WOULD BE TO MOVE MORE QUICKLY TO DIRECT

ELECTIONS FOR CENTRAL GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS UNQUOTE. (II) FOLLOWING FROM THIS THE INTRODUCTION TO PARAGRAPH 6 MIGHT READ: OPEN QUOTES IN ASSESSING THE RIGHT FEATURES FOR ANY NEW SYSTEM, THE FOLLOWING FACTORS NEED TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT:

UNQUOTE.

(III) AT THE END OF PARAGRAPH 6 C ADD A CONTINUATION: QUOTES A GREATER DEMOCRACY, AND IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO AVOID LEAVING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MORE REPRESENTATIONAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT ONLY PARTLY COMPLETED. THIS COULD ENABLE THE

OPEN

CHINESE EITHER TO CRITICISE IT OR LATER TO EXPLOIT IT FOR THEIR

OWN PURPOSES CLOSE QUOTES.

Ι

SECRET

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