TNAG-1892-FCO40-2685-Visits-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe-and-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretaries-1989 — Page 67

NESAAT (7)

REFERENDUM ON PACE OF DEMOCRATISATION?

Referendum can only work if there is a simple question to be asked. But the issues to be decided in this area are complex ones.

Do not believe that referendum would help to achieve consensus in

Hong Kong.

NEED FOR MINISTERIAL SYSTEM IN HONG KONG

Main focus of debate in Hong Kong has been on pace of introducing direct elections to legislature. Developments under

discussion do not preclude introduction of ministerial system in due

course. But that would be major new departure, which we need to be

fully discussed and debated in territory.

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FIRST CHIEF EXECUTIVE SHOULD BE ELECTED IN SAME WAY AS PROPOSED IN

BASIC LAW FOR SECOND AND THIRD CHIEF EXECUTIVE (FAC RECOMMENDATION)

OMELCO unanimously concluded that Chief Executive should be

directly elected by 2003, ie from the term of second Chief

Executive.

We will need to see whether views evolve further before coming to

any firm conclusions.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE SHOULD RESIGN IF IN IRRECONCILABLE CONFLICT WITH

LEGISLATURE (FAC RECOMMENDATION)

All the Foreign Affairs Committee's recommendations will need to

be carefully considered, in the light of views in Hong Kong. Not

ready to come to any firm conclusions.

Draft Basic Law provides for impeachment of Chief Executive by

SAR legislature for serious breach of law or dereliction of duty.