GRS 400
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 070600Z MAR 85
TO ROUTINE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON
TELEGRAM NUMBER 209 OF 7 MARCH
13
TOP COPY
INFO ROUTINE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT REPS WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, GENEVA, BRUSSELS.
FOLLOWING TELEGRAN NOW REPEATED TO YOU
BEGINS
TO IMMEDIATE F C O
TELEGRAM NUMBER 469 OF 6 MARCH
INFO PRIORITY PEKING
REQUEST
"PICIC
MEGEWED BY HEKWTRY
7 MAR 1985
ми
YOUR TELNO. 361 : AMENDMENTS TO LETTERS PATENT AND ROYAL
INSTRUCTIONS, ETC.
WE PROPOSE TO ISSUE A PRESS RELEASE EXPLAINING THE PROVISIONS
OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) BILL WHEN IT IS GAZETTED ON 8 MARCH, IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR USUAL PROCEDURE. THE FULL TEXT OF THE RELEASE IS IN MIFT.
2. WE DO NOT EXPECT REACTION TO THE BILL TO BE PARTICULARLY CONTENTIOUS, EXCEPT PERHAPS IN RELATION TO THE PROVISIONS WHICH MENTION THE DISSOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHICH MAY BE PICKED UP EITHER HERE OR IN PEKING. WE HAVE NOT INCLUDED ANY SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO THESE PROVISIONS IN THE PRESS RELEASE. HOWEVER, IF QUESTIONS ARE RAISED WE PROPOSE TO TAKE THE LINE THAT THERE IS NOTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT SUCH PROVISIONS, WHICH ARE A STANDARD FEATURE IN MANY OTHER JURISDICTIONS. THEY ARISE NATURALLY FROM THE CHANGE TO A PARTLY ELECTED LEGISLATURE. THEY MERELY ENABLE THE GOVERNOR TO DISSOLVE THE LEGISLATURE AND TO CALL FOR FRESH ELECTIONS SHOULD THIS BE NECESSARY.
3. IT IS MORE LIKELY THAT QUESTIONS WILL BE RAISED HERE ABOUT
THE INTRODUCTION OF THE GOVERNOR'S POWER TO DISSOLVE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHEN THE ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE HERE, AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE PRIVY COUNCIL ON 20 MARCH. WE SHOULD THEREFORE BE GRATEFUL TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF EXPLANATION YOU PROPOSE TO GIVE IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS IN LONDON WHEN THE ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS ARE PUBLISHED, AND FOR YOUR ADVICE ON THE LINE WE SHOULD TAKE IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS HERE.
4. PEKING WILL BE ABLE TO DRAW FREELY ON THE PRESS RELEASE IN THE ADMITTEDLY UNLIKELY EVENT OF QUESTIONS BEING PUT TO THEM BY
THE CHINESE.
ENDS
COPLES TO:
HKGO
LONDON
YOUDE
MINIMAL HKD
ONFDENTUA
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