TNAG-2452-FCO40-3569-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-1992 — Page 177

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THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN RETAINED

IN THE DEPARTMENT UNDER SECTION 3 (4) OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT 1958

VFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG, UKREP JLG HONG KONG

ERSONAL FOR RICKETTS, HKD, FROM AMBASSADOR

ONG KONG PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR/POLITICAL ADVISER KREP JLG PERSONAL FOR GALSWORTHY

(196 197

OUR TELSNOS 1588 AND 1589 TO HONG KONG:

ONG KONG: PAPER FOR OPD(K)

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Com. Mr Hum

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I AM NOT SURE WHETHER YOU WANT FURTHER COMMENTS FROM HERE, BUT INCE SOME OF THE POINTS RAISED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE REQUIRE NALYSIS OF LIKELY CHINESE BEHAVIOUR I OFFER THE FOLLOWING HOUGHTS.

HAT WE MIGHT TALK TO THE CHINESE ABOUT ?

WE HAVE TOLD THE CHINESE THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1995 .LECTIONS SET OUT IN THE GOVERNOR'S LEGCO ADDRESS ARE PROPOSALS:

HAT WE ARE READY TO DISCUSS THEM: AND THAT IF THE CHINESE DO NOT IKE THEM THEY SHOULD COME UP WITH SPECIFIC PROPOSALS OF THEIR OWN. HAT IS ALSO OUR PUBLIC POSITION. THERE IS SO FAR NO INDICATION HAT THE CHINESE INTEND TO EMBARK ON DISCUSSIONS.

THE CHINESE AIM IS TO HUMILIATE THE GOVERNOR OR 'TEACH · ¡IM A LESSON' AMONG OTHER THINGS BY SO UNDERMINING SUPPORT FOR HIS 'ROPOSALS IN HONG KONG THAT THEY WILL BE REJECTED BY LEGCO.

4.

3. WE NONETHELESS NEED TO CONSIDER CAREFULLY OUR TACTICS SHOULD THE CHINESE SHOW AN UNEXPECTED WILLINGNESS TO TALK. WE SHOULD CERTAINLY SEEK TO DRAW THEM INTO PUTTING FORWARD SPECIFIC PROPOSALS OF THEIR OWN, BUT AS SEEN FROM HERE THAT WOULD BE A TACTICAL OBJECTIVE RATHER THAN THE 'PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE DISCUSSIONS. (FIRST TIRET OF PARAGRAPH 1(I) OF SECOND TUR).

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FOR THE REASONS THE GOVERNOR HAS GIVEN IN EARLIER TELEGRAMS IT MAY WELL BE THAT THE POSSIBILITY OF AGREEING ACCEPTABLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1995 WITH THE CHINESE IS REMOTE, AND THAT IT IS NO LONGER REALISTIC TO THINK IN TERMS OF A THROUGH TRAIN. THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE REMAINING YEARS OF BRITISH ADMINISTRATION ARE HOWEVER FAR-REACHING. MINISTERS MAY THEREFORE FEEL THAT IF TALKS DO GET GOING EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO EXPLORE WHETHER THERE IS ANY POSSIBLE BASIS FOR AN AGREED WAY FORWARD. IT WAS WITH THAT THOUGHT IN MIND THAT I SUGGESTED (MY TELNO 1500) THAT IT WOULD BE WORTH CONSIDERING WHETHER THERE WAS ANY WAY IN WHICH THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS COULD BE REPACKAGED, WITHOUT LOSING THEIR ESSENTIAL CHARACTER. THE CHINESE MIGHT WELL INSIST ON PRECONDITIONS WHICH WOULD MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANY REAL DISCUSSION TO GET STARTED. BUT WE OUGHT SURELY TO BE CONSIDERING POSSIBLE ELEMENTS OF FLEXIBILITY IF THEY DID SHOW SERIOUS INTENT.

5.

WEIGHED AGAINST ALL THE OTHER EVIDENCE