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SECRET
To have any influence over what happens in Hong Kong after 1997, we shall have to make some concessions before that date.
Such concessions are inevitable any way, and we shall therefore be wise to exploit them.
On representative government, the Secretary of State is not clear about the basic purpose of the present draft paper. One purpose should be to promote caution/reduce enthusiasm within HMG about the prospect of direct elections. Only a few seats are involved. It is not realistic or sensible to see them as a buttress of autonomy; indeed they could easily become the fulcrum of instability. Their only value is as an emblem of ? HMG's continuing responsibility. We should therefore avoid getting that responsibility put to the test.
It would be most helpful to have redrafted versions of both papers in the Secretary of State's box on 28 October.
يس adoon
27 October 1986
cc. PS/Mr Renton
Mr Gillmore
Dr Wilson
(R N Culshaw)
Mr Fifoot, Deputy Legal Adviser
SECRET
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