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CONFIDENTIAL
111543
MDHIAN 1418
(L)
(M)
(N)
OPINION.
SEVENTEENTH TIRET:
WE SUGGEST A REPLY ON THE FOLLOWING LINES:
''LAWS GOVERNING DIRECT ELECTIONS TO DISTRICT BOARDS AND
MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ALREADY EXIST. THERE MIGHT BE A NEED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON NEW LEGISLATION TO BE INTRODUCED
BEFORE THE 1991 DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE FORM OF ANY SUCH CONSULTATION WILL BE DECIDED IN DUE
COURSE.'
EIGHTEENTH TIRET:
WE SUGGEST A REPLY ON THE FOLLOWING LINES:
''THE VIEW OF HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE OF CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE.
HOPE THAT A BROADLY HELD HONG KONG VIEW WILL EMERGE FROM CURRENT DISCUSSIONS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY ON THE PACE OF
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT. PRESENT INDICATIONS ARE THAT PUBLIC
OPINION IS IN FAVOUR OF A SOMEWHAT FASTER PACE THAN WAS ENVISAGED IN THE 1988 WHITE PAPER, BUT THAT THE MAJORITY WOULD REGARD 50 PER CENT DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS FOR THE 1991 LEGISLATURE AS TOO RAPID.
NINETEENTH TO TWENTY SECOND TIRET:
WE HAVE ALREADY COMMENTED IN RESPECT OF THE THIRD AND FOURTH TIRETS THAT GREAT CARE IS NEEDED TO DEFINE OUR LOCUS VIS-A- VIS THE BASIC LAW. FOR THIS REASON, WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD GO INTO DETAILS ON THESE POINTS. WE NEED ONLY MAKE IT
CLEAR THAT THESE ARE QUESTIONS TO BE DECIDED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW, ACCORDING TO THE JD AND TAKING FULL ACCOUNT OF THE VIEWS OF HK-PEOPLE, AND THAT THIS DRAFTING PROCESS IS A MATTER FOR THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES.
FCO TELNO 2155
(A)
FIFTH TIRET:
WE SUGGEST A REPLY ON THE FOLLOWING LINES:
''THE LAND ON WHICH HMS TAMAR AND THE PRINCE OF WALES BUILD- ING STAND WAS ALLOCATED BY THE HKG TO THE MOD FOR USE BY
BRITISH FORCES. IN ACCORDANCE WITH LONGSTANDING PROCEDURE AGREED BETWEEN HMG AND HKG WHEN THE MOD NO LONGER REQUIRE THE LAND AND BUILDINGS THEY WILL REVERT TO HKG. A DECISION
ON THEIR FUTURE USE WOULD NEED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF OTHER PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA INCLUDING THOSE ON THE
FUTURE CENTRAL/WANCHAI RECLAMATION. WE ARE THEREFORE
LOOKING AT OTHER SITES.''
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