TNAG-2451-FCO40-3568-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-1992 — Page 85

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

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TO BRING A CONSIDERABLE A AMLOUNT OF PRESSURE TO BEAR ON THE INDEPENDENT MEMBERS IN PARTICULAR. BUT OUR PRESENT COUNT IS THAT WE ARE LIKELY TO HAVE A HARD CORE OF SUPPORT OF 24 MEMBERS, WHICH MEANS 27 VOTES WHEN THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS ARE INCLUDED. WE EXPECT A FAIR PROPORTION OF THE REMAINDER TO ABSTAIN AT WORST

RATHER THAN TO VOTE AGAINST. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE CHINESE THEMSELVES ARE ONLY COUNTING ON 6 FIRM VOTES ON THEIR SIDE.

10. WE MAY NEED TO CONSIDER A MEETING BETWEEN YOU AND QIAN

QICHEN AT SOME POINT. THERE ARE ALREADY RUMOURS IN THE LOCAL

MEDIA THAT THE CHINESE WILL PRESS FOR A MEETING. THE NEXT SIX- MONTHLY MEETING WOULD NOT BE DUE UNTIL MARCH/APRIL, WHICH WOULD BE TOO LATE: SO IT MAY BE WORTH LOOKING AT DIARY POSSIBILITIES. BUT THIS CAN BE DISCUSSED WHEN I AM BACK IN NOVEMBER, TOGETHER WITH OTHER PLANS FOR THE END GAME.

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