TNAG-2719-FCO40-3925-Hong-Kong-electoral-provisions-and-arrangements-1993 — Page 42

XM (93) 38

SECRET

654

the attendance at a number of public events held

during the visit

indicated a high level of

interest in Hong

Kong affairs among British

politicians, business leaders and journalists.

2.

Cabinet

Ministers

of talks

but had

With regard to the meeting of the

Committee on Hong Kong, the Governor said

felt that progress after fifteen rounds

was slower than they would have liked

expressed interest in the proposals made

fifteen on the through train and the

of concluding a first-stage agreement

discussing the more difficult issues.

at round

possibility

prior to

The view of the Committee was that there was some

merit in seeking such an agreement provided it

covered the Legislative Council, the District

Boards and the Municipal Councils. Ministers,

December and

while noting that such an agreement might gain a

little time, also felt that discussion of the

issue should not be allowed to drag on into

beyond. It was their view that if

were sincere about their expressed

intention of concluding an overall agreement they

should not have great difficulty in agreeing to a

agreement which was consistent with

the Chinese

first-stage

the contents of the memorandum of understanding