TNAG-1220-FCO40-1530-Democratic-representation-and-reform-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 93

GRS 300

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FROM PEKING 230805Z NOV 93

TO PRIORITY FCO

HKK 011/3

2 4 NOV 1983

TELEGRAM NUMBER 1239 OF 23/11/83

REPEATED FOR INFO TO PRIORITY HONG KONG

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See (32

YOUR TELNO 310 AND HONG KONG TEL NO 1714:

DEVELOPMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE IN HONG KONG.

1. I AM IN BROAD AGREEMENT WITH THE PROPOSALS IN HONG KONG

TUR. THE GOVERNOR RIGHTLY TOOK INTO ACCOUNT CHINESE

SUSCEPTIBILITIES IN DEVISING HIS PLAN (PARA 11 OF HONG KONG TUR). WHILE THERE IS NOTHING IN THAT PLAN TO WHICH, IN MY VIEW, THE CHINESE COULD LEGITIMATELY TAKE EXCEPTION, THEIR CAPACITY FOR SUSPICION AND TROUBLE MAKING IS NEVER TO BE UNDER-ESTIMATED AND THEIR ACQUESCENCE AT LEAST WILL BE NEEDED IF THE CHANGES CONTEMPLATED ARE TO HAVE A REASONABLE CHANCE OF SUCCESS. OUR OBJECTIVE, AS I SEE IT, SHOULD BE TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE AWARE BEFORE-HAND OF WHAT WE INTEND, WHILE AVOIDING ANY SUGGESTION THAT WE NEED TO SEEK THEIR PERMISSION.

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نمی