TNAG-1986-FCO40-2819-Presentation-of-UK-policy-on-Hong-Kong-to-the-media-1989 — Page 179

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DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)

Hong Kong people themselves must be crucial to our

approach to this question. We have always sought to introduce representative govenrment in Hong Kong at a pace which commands the widest possible support in the

territory; and to ensure that what is built up under

British administration will go on after 1997. These will

remain the guiding principles as we consider the way

forward.

PRIVACY MARKING

In Confidence

7. It is inevitable that recent events in China have

caused Hong Kong people to think deeply about democracy.

This was plain before the massacre in Peking. The

unanimous OMELCO proposal announced on 24 May for a 501

directly elected legislature in 1997, moving to full

direct election in 2003, was the most important

indciation of an emerging consensus. During my visit

Hong Kong, OMELCO indicated that following the events

3/4 June, they would need more time to look again at

their recommendations.

Once Hong Kong people have

formulated their views, we will certainly pay direct

attention to what they have to say. But it was already

clear from my visit that the changes currently proposed

for 1991 will now need to be re-examined and that we will

also need to consider what further steps may be necessary

before 1997.

8. We will also need to take a close look at the draft

Basic Law once the drafting process.resumes to ensure

that it conforms fully with the spirit as well as the

letter of the Joint Declaration.

The Basic Law is to b