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060736
MDHIAN 736
PLAINLY IT IS MORE DIFFICULT TO NEGOTIATE HALF IN PUBLIC AND HALF IN PRIVATE. BUT IF AND WHEN AN UNDERSTANDING IS REACHED WITH THE CHINESE, WE WILL SHARE IT WITH THE COMMUNITY AND LEGCO.
4.
ON THE TIMING FOR INTRODUCING LEGISLATION INTO LEGCO:
OUR AIM IS TO GIVE MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL AS MUCH TIME AS POSSIBLE TO DISCUSS THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1994/95 ALTHOUGH IT WILL OF COURSE BE A MATTER FOR LEGCO TO DETERMINE WHEN THIS PROCESS WILL BE COMPLETE. ON THE QUESTION OF THE TIMING OF THE INTRODUCTION OF THE REMAINING LEGISLATION, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF FACTORS TO BE BALANCED. THESE INCLUDE THE NEED TO GIVE THE CURRENT TALKS WITH CHINA A FAIR WIND TO HELP ENSURE THAT THEY ARE BROUGHT TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION. BUT WE DO NOT HAVE AN
INFINITE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION MUST BE IN PLACE WELL BEFORE THE ELECTIONS ARE DUE.
5. ON WHETHER THERE WILL BE A DEADLINE FOR TALKS:
(I) THERE IS A LOT OF IMPORTANT GROUND TO COVER IN THE TALKS: SETTING DEADLINES WILL NOT MAKE IT EASIER TO COVER THIS
GROUND.
6.
ON LU PING'S SUGGESTION REGARDING NATIONALITY RESTRICTION
(PARA 1 (I) OF MIPT):
(1) WE ENVISAGE POLITICAL AND LEGAL DIFFICULTIES IN IMPLEMENTING NATIONALITY RESTRICTION IN 1995, BUT WOULD BE INTERESTED IN HEARING SPECIFIC CHINESE SUGGESTION.
7.
ON VOTING SYSTEM (PARAS 1(II) AND (III) OF MIPT):
(I)
SINGLE-SEAT SINGLE-VOTE IS SIMPLE, WELL ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG (MC AND DB ELECTIONS), AND EASILY UNDERSTOOD BY THE PUBLIC. IT ALSO OFFERS A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR ALL CANDIDATES.
8.
ON THROUGH TRAIN (PARA 1(IV) OF MIPT):
(I) A CLARIFICATION OF THE CONCEPT OF 'THROUGH TRAIN' IS IMPORTANT TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE TALKS. THE THROUGH TRAIN SHOULD NOT ONLY BE ABLE TO RUN ON ITS OWN TRACK THROUGH TO 1999, BUT SHOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO CARRY PASSENGERS INSIDE IT.
(II)
IMPORTANT TO ESTABLISH CLEAR, OBJECTIVE CRITERIA ON
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