CONFIDENTIAL
HONG KONG
Colleagues will be relieved to know that Chris Patten's
operation went smoothly on 3 February. Doctors say he should make a rapid recovery and be back up to full speed
after about a week's convalescence.
HONG
KONG
Before entering hospital, the Governor and ExCo decided
that his electoral proposals should be put to LegCo unamended. Their preferred timetable is to publish a Bill
on 12 February and introduce it into LegCo on 17 February. Then likely to be several months debate.
Have not yet announced this. Giving the Chinese one last
chance to embark on discussions with us before debate in
LegCo begins. This follows up our offer of talks through
the Ambassador in Peking three weeks ago. No Chinese
response. One or two feelers since then through
intermediaries but these have led nowhere.
Not optimistic that the Chinese will take up our offer of
talks now. Indeed some signs that they are returning to a
more aggressive public line after a slight lull over
Christmas/New Year.
Risk that the Chinese could take publication of the draft legislation as the occasion for further action against
Just to
Amis
agreement
Hong Kong. Will try to forestall this by sending a message to the Chinese Foreign Minister explaining that publication is the start of a long process of debate in LegCo, and that we stand ready to discuss these issues
with the Chinese at any time.
Not prepared to commit myself yet on timing of my next meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister. We need some prospect that such a meeting would be productive. Do not
want the Chinese to get the impression that they can appeal
over the head of the Governor to HMG.
CONFIDENTIAL
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