TNAG-2556-FCO40-3731-Hong-Kong-Bill-of-Rights-Societies-(Amendment)-Bill-1992-1992 — Page 140

CONFIDENTIAL

010534

MDLIAN 7785

APPROACH IN DEALING WITH THE CHINESE ON AMENDMENTS TO THE SIX ORDINANCES SUBJECT TO THE FREEZE. THIS WAS AGREED TO IN PEKING TELNO 5 AND YOUR TELNO 35. IN THE CASE OF THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE, WE PROPOSE THAT WE SHOULD BRIEF THE CHINESE SIDE ABOUT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS IN AN INFORMAL LOW KEY MANNER AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN AGREED BY EXCO BUT BEFORE THEIR INTRODUCTION INTO LEGCO. WE WILL CAREFULLY EXPLAIN TO THE CHINESE THAT THE AMENDMENTS WILL NOT, IN OUR VIEW, DIMINISH OUR ABILITY TO PROHIBIT SOCIETIES WHICH ARE SUBVERSIVE OR UNDESIRABLE. WE ARE PREPARING THE AMENDMENT BILL AND INTEND TO SUBMIT IT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN MARCH.

GRATEFUL TO KNOW IF YOU OR PEKING HAVE ANY COMMENTS AT THIS

STAGE ON THE PROPOSALS AS SET OUT ABOVE.

9.

WILSON

YYYY

DISTRIBUTION

64

MAIN

60

.HONG KONG AGREEMENT

.(RESTRICTED)

LIMITED

RAD

HKD

PUSD

HD/FED

NEWS D

ADDITIONAL

4

PLANNERS

PS/LORD CAITHNESS

PS/MR LENNOX-BOYD

SIR J COLES

MR BURNS

MS BARRETT LEGAL ADVISERS

MISS BROOKS LEGAL ADVISERS

MISS NEVILLE-JONES CAB OFFICE

SIR P CRADOCK NO.10

NNNN

3

PAGE CONFIDENTIAL