TNAG-2448-FCO40-3564-Elections-in-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1992 — Page 25

20.

!

"1

In his message of 12 February 1990, Douglas Hurd says "I agree in principle with the arrangements which you propose for an Electoral Committee, which

could be established in 1995. The precise details

of how this should be done could be discussed

between our two sides in due course. Meanwhile, I hope that the five principles which you have agreed can be reflected in the Basic Law".

Surely this shows that:

(a) an understanding was reached on arrangements for

the Election Committee?

(b) that the discussion of the details did not

amount to a condition on the agreement in principle; and

(c) Mr. Hurd's request for the five principles to be reflected in the BL is expressed as no more than a hope", and hardly amounts to a condition?

Isn't it clear from this correspondence that the British had all but agreed on the composition of the Election Committee. Surely the Chinese side have legitimate grounds for saying that they felt they had an understanding, which has been breached?

Exchanges make clear that British side have not reneged on agreements about the composition of the Election Committee for the first SAR

legislature.

CONFICIAL