TNAG-2394-FCO40-3481-Commander-British-Forces(CBF)--Hong-Kong-position-on-the-Exe-1992 — Page 19

HKA 011/1

Mr Crystal

News Department

32

FROM: RAJ Bunten

Hong Kong Department

DATE: 6 February 1992

cc: PS/Lord Caithness

Sir J Coles

Mr Burns

Mr Ricketts

COMMANDER OF CHINESE FORCES ON EXCO

7

If asked about the article in today's Independent, you

should take the line that that:

1.

i)

The composition of ExCo post 1997 is a matter for the

Chief Executive at that time;

ii)

In making this decision he would follow the

Joint Declaration which says the government of HKSAR will be

composed of Hong Kong people.

2. If you are pressed as to whether the Basic Law permits the Commander to participate, refer to BL 55, which says that ExCo members must be permanent residents of the SAR.

Obviously, just as now, the Chief Executive may, when necessary, invite others to sit in on specific items.

RAS But

RAJ Bunten

RB2AAP/1

JRB

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