TNAG-2591-FCO40-3779-Appointment-of-Chris-Patten-as-new-Governor-of-Hong-Kong--Ap-1992 — Page 146

24-APR-1992 18:32

JAMES LEE

FOREIGN SECRETARY

P.84

INTERVIEW

ITN LONDON

-

24 APRIL 1992

3

FOREIGN SECRETARY:

By presiding over the preparation of the hand-over of Hong Kong in

1997 in a way which protects the interests of Hong Kong and earns

the respect of people in Hong Kong.

INTERVIEWER:

It has not been a universally popular appointment within Hong Kong

itself though there is a movement there for more democracy. Would

you like to see Mr. Patten pushing that process along more

quickly?

FOREIGN SECRETARY:

of course, we have

He will want to judge that very carefully.

made progress. We made progress last year. We have now got the

first directly-elected members of the Legislative Council and we

want to discuss with the Chinese how to carry that forward because

obviously at the next elections in 1995 one will want the people

elected then to go on and serve after 1997,

INTERVIEWER:

Isn't it rather strange appointing a man who has always abided by

the ballot box, his very availability for the job? You are

appointing him to an unelected position with virtually

untrammelled powers.