CONFIDENTIAL
-
2
would have fully established herself in the Territory, therefore
even with direct elections she would be able to maintain control
of the legislature.
4.
Respondents in nine districts critically questioned the abrupt manner in which the proposal emerged and the haste
with which it was adopted by the BLDC political sub-group they felt it was "hard not to believe" that the proposal
(crystal clear for some) had not come from Peking and that CHA
was merely the spokesman. Some respondents in Mong Kok
described the proposal as the "PRC model" whilst others in Yau Tsim queried CHA's intentions was he under pressure from China? Contacts in Yau Tsim noted with suspicion that the
post-1997 referendum suggestion had never been raised before,
there was no mention in any of the previous proposals. Democrats in Kwun Tong criticised the model as "undemocratic,
retrograde and illogical"; the whole BLDC proceedings had been
stage-managed by the Chinese with CHA as the performing puppet!
A DB member in Central and Western believed the liberals had
frightened the Chinese that was the reason for the CHA proposal being rushed through. Respondents in Mong Kok and North districts felt that the way the proposal emerged cast serious doubts on the sincerity of the Chinese government and the effectiveness of any future consultation exercise. One
teacher in Sham Shui Po felt too much attention had been focused
on the origins of the proposal instead of considering whether or not it was good for Hong Kong. Some Tsuen Wan respondents
criticised CHA for abusing his position as "editor" of the Ming Pao Daily News and using the newspaper as a mouthpiece for promoting his views.
Respondents in three districts felt that the BLDC sub-group's high-handed attitude and the threats reportedly uttered by an NCNA official against the liberals' actions would have an adverse effect on Hong Kong people's confidence and could encourage emigration. A few contacts in Sham Shui Po and Wanchai supported the liberal stance against the proposal and would join the hunger strike and march.
The Tsuen Wan DB Chairman noted that Martin LEE and SZETO Wah
seemed to have adopted a lower profile possibly silenced by
earlier comments from the NCNA official. An MAC Chairman and
CONFIDENTIAL
-
/contà...
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.