GRS 290
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 3544
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Confidential
HKK Out
OF 280705Z OCTOBER 86
INFO PRIORITY PEKING
420
RECEIVED IN LUISTRY
06 NOW 1986
DESK OFFICA
INDEX
PA
Auton Taken
YOUR TELNO 2379: 1987 REVIEW OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT
1.
THE DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY WAS REPLYING TO THE DIRECT
QUESTION WILL THERE BE AN INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OFFICE LIKE
THE ONE FOR THE 1984 SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION?'' HE MERELY
SAID THAT THIS WAS ONE OF SEVERAL POSSIBILITIES.
2.
WE AGREE WITH YOU THAT AN INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OFFICE
LIKE THE ONE CREATED FOR THE DRAFT JOINT DECLARATION WOULD NOT
BE APPROPRIATE, BUT WHATEVER MACHINERY IS ESTABLISHED MUST BE
CREDIBLE TO THE COMMUNITY AS A FAIR AND EVIDENT TEST OF PUBLIC
VIEWS.
3. A PAPER IS BEING PREPARED ON THIS SUBJECT, AND A DRAFT WILL
BE FORWARDED TO YOU BY NOVEMBER. OUR PRESENT THINKING IS THAT IT
WILL FOR PRESENTATIONAL REASONS BE NECESSARY TO SET UP A SMALL
SPECIAL UNIT TO RECEIVE AND ASSESS PUBLIC COMMENT AND TO REPORT
DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL. THE COMMENTS OF THE VOCAL MINORITY WILL AS ALWAYS COMMAND DISPROPORTIONATE MEDIA SPACE.
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN AS BALANCED A RESPONSE AS POSSIBLE, WE PROPOSE
TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE AND ASK A WIDE VARIETY OF ORGANISATIONS
FOR WRITTEN COMMENTS.
4.
WE EXPECT TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON
THIS AROUND THE END OF NOVEMBER.
Confidential
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