CONFIDENTIAL
seems clear from Mr Kaufman's letter of 27 November that the main focus of interest will be on representative government and the forthcoming White Paper. The Secretary of State could adopt one of two approaches in his opening speech:
(a) make a fairly comprehensive statement, following broadly
the lines of the Annual Report, and including a passage on representative government; or
(b)
confine himself on the main themes, such as
implementation of the Joint Declaration, the Review of representative government, confidence and the Hong Kong
economy etc.
4. I have consulted PRU who confirm my view that a "main themes" speech would be preferable. I submit a preliminary outline of a possible opening speech on these lines. If the Secretary of State
felt that a more comprehensive statement was required the draft
could be expanded to include some of the other themes discussed in the Annual Report (eg trade and industry; Daya Bay; defence and public order; Hong Kong's social development; refugees, illegal immigration etc). In the light of the Secretary of State's views, we would aim to have a full draft of the opening speech ready for him to see on his return from Japan.
5. We will of course also be preparing detailed briefing for the
full range of subjects likely to come up during the Debate. This would in particular cover representative government: we are working on a paper which seeks to provide a comprehensive refutation of the
case set out in Martin Lee's letter to the Prime Minister, as
requested in Mr Galsworthy's minute of 16 December.
ARR
A R Paul
CONFIDENTIAL
/
The
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.