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CONFIDENTIAL
ANNEX D(6)
Decision to leave the matter until closer to 1997
Hong Kong is unique in that its future has been determined well in advance. In other territories moving to independence, the change was usually sudden and the conditions agreed for HMOCS members only put place shortly before independence. But one could argue that there are historical precedents for not taking action until much nearer
1997.
Set against this are the many reassurances by Ministers in correspondence that we aim to make clear our intentions "as soon as possible" (Mr Maude in April 1990, and often repeated since then). A decision to defer consideration would then be seen as reneging on stated intentions.
NC3AAB
CONFIDENTIAL
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