TNAG-2233-FCO40-3206-Visits-by-the-Office-of-Members-of-the-Executive-and-Legisla-1991 — Page 24

CONFIDENTIAL

this 027/2

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE F C O

TELNO 3396

TOP COD

OF 30065OZ OCTOBER 91

ED

INFO ROUTINE WASHINGTON, PEKING

pa

(79)

114307 MDHIAN 9733

PERSONAL FOR COX, HKD FROM GOVERNOR

MARTIN LEE'S VISIT TO LONDON: CALL ON SECRETARY OF STATE

1.

THE HONG KONG PRESS HAVE REPORTED TODAY (30/10) THAT MARTIN LEE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED ON HIS VISIT TO LONDON BY LEGCO MEMBER LEE WING-TAT. ACCORDING TO THE PRESS REPORTS, THEY INTEND TO SAY THAT LEGCO SHOULD BE CONSULTED BEFORE AND AFTER ANY NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE CHINESE THAT AFFECT HONG KONG'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS. THIS

APPARENTLY INCLUDES JLG MEETINGS AND MY MEETINGS WITH LU PING. THEY ARGUE THAT THIS WOULD ENABLE US TO AVOID CONTROVERSIES SUCH AS THAT OVER THE AGREEMENT THAT HAS BEEN REACHED ON THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL.

2.

THE REPORTS ALSO SAY THAT THE TWO LEES WILL URGE THE

SECRETARY OF STATE TO CARRY OUT HMG'S EARLIER PROMISE TO NEGOTIATE WITH CHINA FOR MORE DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN LEGCO, BUT WILL NOT RAISE THE SUBJECT OF EXCO APPOINTMENTS.

3.

ON 2 NOVEMBER, THE DELEGATION WILL LEAVE FOR THE UNTIED STATES, WHERE THEY WILL SUPPORT THE MCCONNEL BILL.

4.

APPARENTLY UDHK HAVE SET UP A SMALL BACK-UP TEAM TO ASSIST WITH THE VISIT. IF MARTIN LEE IS REQUIRED TO SPEAK ON ANY NEW ISSUES DURING THE VISIT, HE NEEDS TO CLEAR HIS LINES WITH THE

BACK-UP TEAM FIRST.

5. WE ARE FAXING YOU A COPY OF THE ARTICLES IN THE SCMP AND MING PAO.

WILSON

YYYY