TNAG-1983-FCO40-2816-Presentation-of-UK-policy-on-Hong-Kong-to-the-media-1989 — Page 100

COMMONWEALTH

PARLIAMENTARY

ASSOCIATIONĮ

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

Headquarters

Old Palace Yard, Westminster, London SWIP 3JY Telex 911569 CPAHQ G

Secretary-General: The Hon David Tonkin

AI/czn/PUBS/63

Rt Hon. Sir Geoffrey Howe, MP Secretary of State for Foreign

and Commonwealth Affairs Foreign and Commonwealth office King Charles Street London SW1A 2AH

Dear Foreign Secretary,

Telephone: 01-799 1460 or Palace of Westminster (01-219) 4666 Facsimile (01) 222 6073

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January 20, 1989

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interest in the return of Hong Kong to China. The transfer raises important constitutional and political questions concerning the Basic Law and the form of government there before and after 1997. I am writing, therefore, to ask if you would explain for Commonwealth As Parliamentarians your government's policy on this issue.

We realize that on several occasions you and your Ministers of State have enunciated in both Houses the principles guiding government policy. However, news of these statements seldom reaches other Parliaments in sufficient detail. Consequently, our Executive Committee would be pleased if you would agree to put these principles into an article of about 2,000 words for publication in the Association's journal, The Parliamentarian.

The article would deal with the governmental and human rights provisions being written into the Basic Law, as well as with the consultative process and any move towards greater democratization of the Legislative Council prior to 1997. The safeguards for the Hong Kong way of life and any provisions for those who wish to leave the dependency could also be covered.

We would propose to publish your article in our July edition, along with differing Hong Kong perspectives which are being sought from Hon. Maria Wai-chu Tam, MLC, and Hon. Martin Lee, QC, MLC. The deadline for receipt of your article would be May 5. We understand events would by then have reached a suitable point for positions to be placed clearly before Commonwealth MPs.

We hope you agree that there is merit in placing the British government's position directly before your Commonwealth colleagues in the journal, a recent edition of which is enclosed.

Since

Yours,

Haurd

ecerely

Secretary-General