CALL ON THE SECRETARY OF STATE BY THE FRIENDS OF HONG KONG: 1200,
TUESDAY 13 MARCH
A: DEMOCRACY
As I made clear in my statement on 16 February, our decision on
the introduction of direct elections to legislature in 1991 and provisions Chinese have made in Basic Law taken together make good
sense for Hong Kong.
-
Essential to establish system of government before 1997 which both
includes substantial element of democracy and can endure and further
develop after 1997. Believe we have achieved this.
- Should not underestimate importance of substantial step forward in
introduction of 18 directly elected seats in 1991. Considerably
more than what was previously envisaged.
Rate of progress after 1997 not as rapid as many people in Hong
Kong or we would have liked. Shall continue to press the case for
faster pace of democratisation.
-
1995 remains open: we shall introduce at least 20 directly elected
seats: hope it may be more.
B: BASIC LAW
-
Have held intensive discussions with the Chinese during course of
drafting of Basic Law. As a result changes have been made to a
number of provisions.
-
Attach great importance to Basic Law giving effect to the Joint
Declaration. On the whole, believe it is an acceptable reflection.
There are of course some provisions we would have drafted
differently.
KEWAAR
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