TNAG-1599-FCO40-2192-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1987 — Page 74

SECRET

FM HONG KONG

SECRET

• MKB 011/2

RECEIVER

REVISTE

2 1 DEC 1987

JSIO

ADO GOL

011/2

041360

MDHIAN 9875

728

i

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

INDE

PA

TELNO 4684

OF 10121OZ DECEMBER 87

INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING

1987 REVIEW THE WHITE PAPER

TIMETABLE

YOU WILL NO DOUBT WISH TO KNOW OUR THINKING ON THE TIMETABLE LEADING UP TO THE PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE PAPER. THIS IS SET OUT IN SOME DETAIL IN MY FIRST IFT. MY SECOND IFT CONTAINS AN OUTLINE OF HOW WE PROPOSE TO STRUCTURE THE WHITE PAPER.

2. GIVEN THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, AND THE NEED TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME TO SECURE CHINESE ACCEPTANCE OF THE CHAPTER ON DIRECT ELECTIONS, THE TIMETABLE IS NECESSARILY VERY TIGHT. HOWEVER AS EXCO WILL HAVE COMPLETED CONSIDERATION OF ALL THE SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES TO BE COVERED IN THE WHITE PAPER BY 15 DECEMBER, IT OUGHT TO BE MANAGEABLE.

·

3 GRATEFUL TO KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WHETHER THE TIMETABLE CAUSES ANY DIFFICULTIES AT YOUR END, PARTICULARLY AS REGARDS CLEARANCE WITH MINISTERS.

WILSON

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RESEARCH (FE)

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MR MCLAREN

MR GILLMORE

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MR FIFCOT, LEGAL ADVISORS

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