CONFIDENTIAL
042000 MDHOA 8501
THAT THE MULTILATERAL EMIGRATION INSURANCE SCHEME HAS STRONG IMPLICATIONS OF POLITICAL PARTICIPATION. HENCE THE NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE BASIC LAW CONTEXT OF POSSIBLE NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS FOR LEGCO MEMBERS.
5. WE HAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT THE CHINESE ARE UNSURE HOW TO PROCEED AND THAT MUCH WILL THEREFORE DEPEND ON HOW WE PRESENT OUR INTENTIONS ON THE NATIONALITY PACKAGE TO THE CHINESE. IN PARTICULAR, THE ASSOCIATED LOBBYING OF OTHER COUNTRIES TO OFFER SIMILAR ASSURANCE SCHEMES WILL NEED CAREFUL PRESENTATION THE CHINESE WILL AUTOMATICALLY JUMP TO THE CONCLUSION THAT WE ARE FURTHER INTERNATIONALISING HONG KONG.
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6. A MAJOR CONSIDERATION IS TIMING: WE PRE AIMING FOR A MINISTERIAL DECISION ON THE NATURE OF ASSURANCES SCHEME IN DECEMBER. BUT EVEN IF THIS WERE TO SLIP, THERE WOULD IN ANY CASE BE PRESSURE TO MAKE AN EARLY PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT. THIS COULD LEAVE VERY LITTLE TIME IN WHICH TO NOTIFY THE CHINESE. THE OPTIONS SEEM TO BE:
(A)
(B)
TO INFORM THE CHINESE OF OUR SCHEME ONE OR TWO DAYS BEFORE THE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT. THIS WOULD AVOID ADDITIONAL DIFFICULTIES FOR THE DEADLINE BUT IS THE COURSE MOST LIKELY TO PROVOKE A HOSTILE REACTION.
TO INFORM THE CHINESE OF OUR DECISION FIVE TO EIGHT DAYS IN ADVANCE. THIS MIGHT BE THE WORST OF BOTH WORLDS IN THAT THEY WILL ASK FOR FURTHER DETAILS BUT WE WILL NOT HAVE TIME TO PROVIDE THEM. IT MAY IN FACT BE NO IMPROVEMENT OVER (A) ABOVE.
(C) TO INFORM THE CHINESE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE OF THE OPTIONS WE ARE CONSIDERING (MAKING CLEAR THAT A FINAL DECISION HAS NOT YET BEEY TAKEN BY MINISTERS) AND ASK THEM TO ELUCIDATE THEIR CONCERNS. THE CHINESE MAY BE MORE LIKELY TO REACT WELL IF THEY FEEL WE HAVE TAKEN THEM INTO OUR CONFIDENCE AS OUR THINKING EVOLVES. THE DISADVANTAGE IS OF COURSE THAT THEY MAY INSIST ON CONSULTATION.
7.
GRATEFUL FOR YOUR EARLY VIEWS AND THOSE OF COPY ADRESSEES.
HURD
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CONFIDENTIAL
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