TNAG-1356-FCO40-1797-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 73

A CLEAR MANDATE TO DO SO. AND THAT MANDATE IS A VERY WIDE ONE, EMBRACING MOST OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND FUNCTIONAL

CONSTITUENCIES.'

(VI)

...

THE STRENGTH OF OUR ECONOMY CAN ONLY BE MAINTAINED IF,

CAN REASONABLY EXPECT AND ONLY IF, THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG

...

THAT THE MUCH MIGHTIER SYSTEM ACROSS THE BORDER WILL NOT INTERFERE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF OUR MUCH SMALLER SYSTEM: OR THAT IF THERE BE SUCH ATTEMPTS TO INTERFERE, THERE IS A SUFFICIENTLY STRONG AND EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG TO WITHSTAND THEM. IT IS NOT REALISTIC TO HOPE THAT CHINA WILL NOT INTERFERE OR AT LEAST ATTEMPT TO INTERFERE: AND WE MUST BE PREPARED FOR IT.'

(VIN) BUT AS IT IS DESIRABLE TO CARRY OUT OUR POLITICAL REFORMS GRADUALLY, I SUGGEST THAT WE SHOULD ONLY HAVE 25 PER CENT OF THE SEATS TO THIS COUNCIL VIA THE DIRECT ELECTION ROUTE IN 1988.'

(VAKE) 'ALTHOUGH THE JOINT DECLARATION DOES NOT SAY THAT THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE BY DIRECT ELECTION, IT DOES NOT PROHIBIT IT ETHER. OF ALL THE CAPITALIST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD THAT HAVE ELECTIONS, THE GREAT MAJORITY HAVE DIRECT ELECTION, WHICH IS ACKNOWLEDGED TO BE THE BEST MODE OF ELECTIONS."

(X) 'FURTHER, THIS EXPERIENCE OF DIRECT ELECTION IN 1988 MUST BE BENEFICIAL TO THE MEMBERS OF BOTH THE DRAFTING AND CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES OF THE BASIC LAW, BECAUSE THEY COULD JUDGE FOR THEMSELVES WHETHER THE ACTUAL EXPERIENCE WILL SHOW DIRECT ELECTION TO BE A SUCCESS OR FAILURE.'

•

(X) .... THIS GOVERNMENT MUST NOT BE FORCED INTO INACTION DURING THESE FEW VITAL YEARS, AND WAIT FOR THE BASIC LAW TO BE PROMULGATED. FOR THE DIRECTION OF OUR FUTURE POLITICAL REFORM IS ALREADY SET OUT IN THE JOINT DECLARATION.... IT MUST BE RECOGNISED THAT ONLY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CAN TELL US WHAT TO DO. NOBODY

ELSE CAN.'

(D

(E) MR. HELMUT SOHMEN :

3

RESTRICTED

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