TNAG-1716-FCO40-2396-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1988 — Page 12

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THE 1984 WHITE PAPER CREATED A GENERAL EXPECTATION THAT AN ELEMENT

OF DIRECT ELECTIONS COULD BE INTRODUCED IN 1988. NOT TO DO SO NOW

WOULD APPEAR TO BE A RETROGRADE STEP

White Paper undertook only that position would be reviewed in

1987.

That review left all options open, including the possibility of direct elections in 1988. But this was only one of possible

options.

Much has happened since the 1984 White Paper:

The Joint Declaration has been signed and Basic Law for post 1997 Hong Kong is being drafted. Due to be promulgated in 1990.

Is only natural that these developments should have affected way people in Hong Kong think about direct elections.

THE THE REVIEW WAS BIASED AGAINST DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988.

MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WANT DIRECT ELECTIONS IN 1988

We have complete confidence in conduct of the Review by the Hong Kong Government and the independent Survey Office.

Independent monitors have confirmed that the Survey Office fulfilled its task properly and impartially.

Review was a genuine one.

Survey Office report gives weight to responses from all sections

of community.

I believe its findings are fair reflection of public opinion. Shows that on most issues raised in the Review there is large measurement of agreement; but on the timing of the introduction of direct elections opinions seem to be sharply divided.

This finding is consistent with what has emerged in debate and discussion at every level in Hong Kong, from the Legislative Council

downwards.

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