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Disadvantage
publication of White Paper likely to precede publication of
relevant elements of Basic Law. Risk of incompatibility.
maximum risk of confrontation with Chinese.
least chance of reaching understanding with Chinese
handling of direct election issue.
on parallel
new Governor would have little scope to influence drafting or
presentation of Green Paper.
Option B: Limited delay
? May/June 1987
Publish Green paper.
? December
? late January
1988
LegCo debate.
Publish White Paper.
September 1988
LegCo elections
Advantages
statements
delay in White Paper reasonably consistent with past
of intent. Delay in Green Paper may be defensible in Hong Kong
by reference to installation of new Governor.
would increase chance that relevant elements of Basic Law would
be known before publication of White Paper.
greater chance of achieving compatibility with Basic Law and
reaching understanding with Chinese on parallel handling
direct election issue.
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