TNAG-2445-FCO40-3560-Internal-political-situation-in-Hong-Kong-1992 — Page 19

From: Lord Wilson of Tillyorn GCMG

香港總督府

Po1. SAREE

76

30/6

pa HAB 011/3 = 2) Cover With

only. R

GOVERNMENT HOUSE

HONG KONG

82916

CONFIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL

17 June 1992

لها

ho

взет

Mr

شاه

Band's letter, (Area Attlaked 1- fax coon)

Alan Paul has kindly sent me a copy of his letter to you of 12 June about the Hong Kong political situation and local attitudes to democratisation.

I agree with almost all of Alan's analysis and the points he makes. The only issue on which I would differ slightly is the attitude of UDHK leaders towards keeping within the framework of the Basic Law. I suspect that the starting point for Martin Lee and his colleagues would be to say that the Basic Law should be changed to accommodate their wish for more directly elected seats. However, when that fails, as it will, I doubt if they will draw the conclusion that Hong Kong should simply accept the framework provided for the Basic Law. They will say first that HMG and the HKG failed to try hard enough; then that, given the situation brought about by this "weakness", the number of directly elected seats should be increased to 50% and China challenged to undo this arrangement in 1997.

8/6

Governor

eres

Peter Ricketts Esq

сс

Alan Paul Esq

Hong Kong Department

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

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