TNAG-1722-FCO40-2415-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1988 — Page 10

ARZAFI

Mr T W Brown (letters 28 July) rightly underlines the importance of satisfactory provisions in the Hong Kong Basic Law on human rights and personal freedoms. He is also right to be critical of the draft as it stands. But I do not share his scepticism about the drafting process nor his pessimism about the prospects of a

satisfactory outcome for Hong Kong.

The Chinese Government have, to their credit, consulted very widely and openly about the draft and have made it clear that they are willing to amend it in the light of criticisms received. The vigorous debate on the draft, of which Mr Brown's letter

is one example, is clear evidence that the consultation process is a

genuine one.

I also disagree that the British Government is in a weak position to influence the draft of the Basic Law. As co-signatory of the Joint Declaration, the Government has a right and a duty to satisfy itself that the Basic Law faithfully and accurately reflects that Agreement. The Foreign Secretary has made it clear that this is precisely what the Government is doing.

It is natural that people in Hong Kong should have concerns

about the future. Those of us who care about Hong Kong must ensure that the Basic Law meets these concerns, by coming forward with frank and constructive criticisms of the draft at this crucial

stage. But we should at the same time not forget how far we have come in the past few years since the negotiations of the Sino-British Joint Declaration began. The Foreign Office secured, against most people's expectations, a remarkably comprehensive and detailed internationally binding agreement with the Chinese Government guaranteeing the maintenance of Hong Kong's economic system and way of life for at least fifty years after the change of sovereignty in 1997.

The draft Basic Law already goes a long way towards giving effect to these principles. I earnestly hope that the drafters will

now do

recognise what

essential that

still needs to be done to get the draft right.

is necessary

Mis happens

they do so. A lot is at stake.

It is