TNAG-1220-FCO40-1530-Democratic-representation-and-reform-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 24

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8 OF YOUR TUR) AND TO THE SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS INVOLVING THE

FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY WHICH MAKE IT IMPORTANT TO SET UP AS SELF

SUSTAINING AN AUTONOMOUS STRUCTURE AS POSSIBLE AS 1997. (WHILE

THERE WILL CLEARLY BE SOME LINKAGE IN PEOPLE'S MINDS BETWEEN THIS PROCESS AND THE TEST OF ACCEPTABILITY OF AN ARRANGEMENT ON

THE FUTURE, I AGREE WITH YOU THAT, FOR TIMING AND OTHER REASONS THEY SHOULD BE KEPT DISTINCT). IT WOULD BE USEFUL ALSO TO

DRAW ATTENTION TO THE PRESENT POSITION IN THE NEGOTIATIONS WHICH

MAKE IT IMPORTANT TO PUT TO THE CHINESE AT LEAST BASIC IDEAS ON

FUTURE CONSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES, INCLUDING THE POSITION OF THE GOVERNOR, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

5. I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF THE PAPER COULD THEN GO ON TO POSE

THE SUGGESTIONS WHICH YOU HAVE MADE FOR DEVELOPMENT IN A MORE

INTERROGATIVE FORM. I SHOULD NOT OF COURSE WISH TO QUALIFY IN ANY WAY YOUR RIGHT AS GOVERNOR TO EXPRESS TO EXCO YOUR VIEWS,

EG ON THE DIFFICULTY OF ESTABLISHING DIRECT ELECTIONS. NEVER-

THELESS I THINK IT IMPORTANT THAT AT THIS STAGE EXCO SHOULD BE

PRESENTED WITH A SURVEY OF THE PROBLEM, AND A STATEMENT OF

OBJECTIVES, BUT WITHOUT ANY FINAL JUDGEMENT BEING OFFERED.

6. IF POSSIBLE IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO SEE YOUR DRAFT BEFORE

YOU PUT IT TO EXCO, BUT I UNDERSTAND THE CONSTRAINTS AND HAVE

NO OBJECTION TO YOUR CONSULTING EXCO ON THE BASIS OF A DISCUSSION

PAPER AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION, MAKING IT CLEAR THAT MINISTERS HAVE

NOT YET BEEN CONSULTED BUT WOULD CERTAINLY WELCOME THE VIEWS OF

UNOFFICIALS WHEN THEY VISIT LONDON.

7.

I AM TELEGRAPHING SEPARATELY ABOUT YOUR TELNO 1985.

HOWE

FUTURE OF HONG KONG

COPIES TO: (VIA DISTS. ROOM)

BUCKINGHAM PALACE

PS/LORD PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL

PS/HOME SECRETARY

PS/CHANCELLOR OF THE EXEQUER

PS/LORD PRIVY SEAL

PS/SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND

PLANNING STAFF

D/FISH

D/ED/PUSD (VR. FLOWER)

RESEARCE DEPT(MR WALKER)

LEGAL ADVISER (SIR IAN SINCLAIR)

PS

ES/LADY. YOUNG

PS/R LUCE

PS/PUS

SIR J BULLAED

MR GIFTAD

MR DONALD

MR FRIGET

SIR C TICKELL

SECRET

INDUSTEK

COPIES 10:

(VLA ADE)

NEWS DEPT

VP. ROBERTS

VE BURROWS LEGAL ADVISERS ME COLES NO 10 DOWNING ST STE A PARSONS

YE MARTIN ASSESSMENT STAFF

R GOODALL

MR (BRONWAY-

CASINET OFFICE

CABINET CFFICE

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PS/S OF S FOR DEFENCE PS/ATTICKERY GENERAL