TNAG-1443-FCO40-1927-Constitutional-development-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 237

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Action Taken

JAKARTA FOR PRIVATE SECRETARY AND WILSON, AUSS

MY THREE IPTS: MEETING OF OD(K):

REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT

PREPARATION OF PAPERS:

FOLLOWING IS REMAINDER OF TEXT OF REVISED DRAFT PAPER ON

REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.

IT

BEGINS

33. THE TWO EXERCISES UNDERWAY IN 1987, NAMELY THE 1987 REVIEW AND THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW, ESSENTIALLY INVOLVE

PARALLEL CONSULTATION OF THE SAME PEOPLE ON THE SAME ISSUES.

SHOULD, AT LEAST IN THEORY, BE POSSIBLE FOR THE TWO SIDES TO

ARRIVE AT THE SAME CONCLUSION. THIS IS ONE OF THE MAIN OBJECTS

OF THE INFORMAL DIALOGUE THAT WE HAVE ESTABLISHED WITH THE CHINESE. BUT IN PRACTICE, GIVEN THE INCREASING POLARISATION OF OPINION IN HONG KONG AND THE SENSIVITY AND INNATE CONSERVATISM OF

THE CHINESE, IT IS LIKELY TO PROVE VERY DIFFICULT. WE HAVE MADE

SOME PROGRESS, AND OUR SUCCESS IN ESTABLISHING THE INFORMAL DIALOGUE PROVIDES THE MEANS TO MAKE MORE. BUT TIME IS SHORT AND

THE GAP BETWEEN US STILL LARGE. THE PROBLEM OF DIRECT ELECTIONS,

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