December 1992
Mr Martin Redmond MP
House of Commons
LONDON
SW1A OAA
с
free li
4.18/1
Przy Goallad.
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Thank you for your letter of 1 December to Douglas Hurd about
Hong Kong.
I was very surprised to see yoù describe Mr Patten's proposals
as "strong arm methods of diplomacy". That is certainly not the view of the people of Hong Kong who continue to support
Mr Patten's approach by a margin of 2:1 according to recent
polls. Nor is it the view of front-bench spokesmen of your own
party. As Mr Allan Rogers put it during FCO Questions in the
House on 25 November, there is much support within the House for the proposals which extend the democratic process in Hong Kong. Mr Patten's proposals respond to the clearly expressed wish of the people of Hong Kong for a greater say in the running of
their own affairs. By any standards they are modest. They propose an extension of democracy which falls wel within the evolutionary process envisaged in the Sino-British Joint
Declaration of 1984, and which does not contravene the Basic
Law. Mr Patten has made it very clear these are proposals, not
firm decisions. We briefed the Chinese before they were
announced, and we have said we are ready at any time to talk to
the Chinese Government about arrangements for the 1995 Legislative Council elections. We are ready to discuss any alternative ideas they may have, provided that these would also result in elections in 1995 which are fair, and acceptable to
the people of Hong Kong.
Redmond.SA.JRB
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.