TNAG-2494-FCO40-3626-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-Chinese-reac-1992 — Page 127

(a)

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3

機密

The

unveiled.

package enjoyed a "halo" effect when first

Its attractions were reinforced by

presentation as part of a Policy Address

promising benefits to all sectors of the

community.

(b)

The

package has since suffered a strong

"twilight" effect. The Policy Address is last

month's news, and its precise attractions have

faded from the community's consciousness.

package itself has now become identified with

predictions of future woes.

The

(c)

As long as there seemed a chance of HKG-CPG

negotiation on the package, the community had

a strong incentive to support its proposals in

the hope of getting the best possible deal.

The CPG's insistence

the

package before

talks confronts the

on total withdrawal of

further

constitutional

community with a choice

between the package's modest proposals and the

threat

of the CPG

imposing its own (and

probably unfavourable) arrangements in 1997.

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