TNAG-2702-FCO40-3908-Memoirs-of-Sir-Percy-Cradock--diplomat-and-sinologist-1993 — Page 141

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P8

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First sentence from "but if need be in disregard of their

understanding of the political settlement that had been reached over the Territory". Tendentious, and factually incorrect.

Implies either that the Chinese understanding of the settlement

was valid, or (worse) that we would disregard the Joint

Declaration.

Х

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"in an effort to make up for what some saw as the too flexible

approach of British negotiators in the preceding decade." Not

so. Ascribes a motivation to the Governor which Sir P Cradock

is in no position to know.

The use of "final arbiter" to describe the proposed role of LegCo here is factually incorrect. It has all along been the

constitutional role of LegCo to pass the necessary electoral

legislation: nothing here has changed. But the Governor has

the constitutional power to overrule if required. It would be

quite wrong to imply that HMG or the Governor had abdicated

their responsibilities.

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Sentence beginning "The Governor emphasised" misrepresents the

Governor's position in not making clear that he also emphasised

that he wished to reach agreement with the Chinese side.

This

Second paragraph "The Chinese reaction was violent both because of the manner and substance of the proposals". also implies that the Chinese reaction was reasonable.

"their request for consultation before it was delivered was

rejected". Oversimplified. The Chinese asked that we not

announce the proposals on 7 October, pending consultation; we said the speech had to go ahead but that we hoped consultation

could take place subsequently, and lead to agreement.

jm.lett.JM

SLM

CONFIDENTIAL