TNAG-2625-FCO40-3816-Visit-by-Douglas-Hurd--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1992 — Page 57

1.

DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG

WHY CAN HONG KONG NOT HAVE DEMOCRACY

LIKE EVERYWHERE ELSE?

Worth recalling what is already in place:

Universal suffrage for rising proportion of LegCo seats;

All LegCo members elected by one means or another in 1995;

The aim (enshrined in the Basic Law) of all members of

LegCo elected by universal suffrage;

- A considerable measure of direct election at the local

level (two thirds of District Board members).

But

- So we are not talking of absolutes, but of pace and

timing. Of course I would like to see faster progress. the debate is not happening in a vacuum. We want as much

continuity as possible through 1997. That is why we have

said that we must discuss all these issues with the Chinese

side. That will happen. But it will take time.

WHEN WILL THERE BE DISCUSSION WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT

OVER 1995 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS?

We have said that we shall be discussing the 1995 elections with the Chinese side with the aim of ensuring as

much continuity as possible. Before that, the Governor will want to consult widely here in Hong Kong before we reach a

firm decision. That will take a little time.

KS1ADZ/2