TNAG-1356-FCO40-1797-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 70

* TAKE (THE PROVISIONS OF PARAS 2, 3 AND 4 AND ANNEX !, SECTION LOF THE JOINT DECLARATION) TO BE CLEAR BEYOND QUESTION. IT IS

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OR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO BPING HONG KONG ALONG THE ROAD OF

ITICAL DEVELOPMENT TO A STATE OF MATURITY SUFFICIENT FOR THE PEOPLE TO EXERCISE THE POLITICAL RIGHTS PROMISED UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION. IN THIS SOLEMN TASK, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT OWES A CONSTITUTIONAL AND MORAL OBLIGATION TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO ENSURE THAT THE IDEALS AND PROMISES OF THE JOINT DECLARATION ARE FULFILLED TO THE LETTER AND SPIRIT. TO THAT END, CONSULTATION WITH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IS ESSENTIAL. FOR THEIR PART, THE PEOPLE MUST BE FREE TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR. THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE LAST FEW DAYS HAS NOT BEEN CONDUCIVE TO A FREE EXPRESSION OF VIEWS, CHARGED AS IT HAS BEEN WITH TENSION AND VEILED THREATS. VENTURE TO SAY THAT SUCH A STRATEGY WILL PROVE TO BE WHOLLY COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE.'

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