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166535 MDHOAN 0587
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FM FCO
TO DESKBY 05010OZ HONG KONG
TELNO 44
OF 04190OZ JANUARY 90
AND TO IMMEDIATE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG
89 HKB O12/13
HKB 012/1
ECEIVED IN RECISTRY
08 JAN 1990
DESK OFFICER INDEX
RA
RM
REGISTRY Action Taken
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM PAUL HKD
PEKING PERSONAL FOR AMBASSADOR
UKREP JLG PERSONAL FOR GALSWORTHY
(175)
YOUR TELNO 4187: 1991 POLITICAL STRUCTURE
1.
IN OUR EXCHANGES OF TELEGRAMS ABOUT YOUR VISIT TO PEKING, WE HAVE INDICATED THAT THE ISSUE OF CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IS STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION BY MINISTERS. I REALISE THAT TIMING IS NOW GETTING EXTREMELY TIGHT FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO CONSULT EXCO AND COMMENT ON THE OUTCOME BEFORE YOUR VISIT TO PEKING.
2.
MINISTERS BELIEVE YOUR OBJECTIVES SHOULD BE : TO SECURE PROVISION FOR A LARGER NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN 1997 THAN 18 OUT OF 60: TO PERSUADE THE CHINESE TO MAKE PROVISION FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT AFTER 1997: TO ENSURE THAT IF A GEC IS INVOLVED, IT IS GENUINELY REPRESENTATIVE. BUT MINISTERS ACCEPT THAT IT WOULD BE HARD TO MAKE PROGRESS TOWARDS THESE OBJECTIVES AND THAT WE HOLD VERY FEW CARDS IN
OUR HANDS.
3. ON 1991, MINISTERS BELIEVE YOU SHOULD TELL THE CHINESE THAT IT WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE TO INTRODUCE LESS THAN ONE-THIRD DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS. THEY BELIEVE YOU SHOULD MAKE CLEAR THAT WE ARE UNDER GREAT PRESSURE TO ANNOUNCE SUCH A DECISION BUT, IN THE HOPE THAT PROGRESS WITH THE CHINESE CAN BE MADE, THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE DOES NOT INTEND TO MAKE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT DURING HIS VISIT TO HONG KONG.
4
MINISTERS CONSIDER THAT, IF THE CHINESE HELD OUT THE PROSPECT OF MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE BASIC LAW IN RETURN FOR RESTRAINT ON OUR PART IN 1991, YOU WOULD HAVE TO UNDERTAKE TO REPORT. BUT THEY AGREE WITH YOUR VIEW THAT YOU SHOULD NOT BE DRAWN INTO NEGOTIATION BELOW 20/20 SEATS DURING YOUR VISIT.
5. SINCE THE ABOVE IS NOT/NOT A FINAL VIEW, GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD RESTRICT KNOWLEDGE ACCORDINGLY.
HURD
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