TNAG-2730-FCO40-3936-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-1993 — Page 114

SECRET

026005

MDHOAN

31

SECRET

FM FCO

TO DESKBY 06010OZ HONG KONG

TELNO 5

OF 051834Z JAN 93

AND TO DESKBY 06010OZ PEKING, JLG HONG KONG

AND TO DESKBY 0521OOZ SUVA

PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM RICKETTS, HKD

PEKING PERSONAL FOR COX

UKREP JLG PERSONAL FOR GALSWORTHY

SUVA PERSONAL FOR PS/MR GOODLAD

PART TWO OF TWO

MIPT:

11.

HONG KONG: DRAFT OPD (K) PAPER

IF THIS APPROACH IS TO SUCCEED IN REDUCING TENSION AND RE-ENGAGING A DIALOGUE WITH THE CHINESE, IT WILL BE ESSENTIAL THAT THE CHINESE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON SOME OF THE ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS BEFORE THEY APPEAR IN LEGCO. INDIVIDUAL LEGCO MEMBERS ARE BEST PLACED TO TOUCH BASE WITH THE CHINESE. SOME INTEND TO. WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO EMPHASISE TO THE CHINESE THAT THE TABLING OF PROPOSALS IN LEGCO IN FEBRUARY WILL NOT BE THE TIME FOR FINAL DECISIONS, BUT THE START OF A PROCESS WHICH WILL LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, AND IN THE COURSE OF WHICH THE PROPOSALS MAY WELL BE RE-SHAPED. TO GIVE THIS MESSAGE MAXIMUM IMPACT,

I AM PREPARED TO SEND A MESSAGE TO FOREIGN MINISTER QIAN BEFORE THE GOVERNOR TABLES HIS DRAFT LEGISLATION, DRAWING ATTENTION TO ANY CHANGES IN IT, EXPLAINING THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, AND REITERATING HMG'S WISH TO EMBARK ON SERIOUS DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINA ON THESE ISSUES.

12.

THESE STEPS SHOULD KEEP THE PUBLIC MOMENTUM BEHIND THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS UP TO THE POINT AT WHICH THEY ARE TABLED, BUT ALSO ENSURE THAT ALTERNATIVES WHICH MOVE IN THE DIRECTION OF CHINESE CONCERNS ARE DISCUSSED PRIVATELY WITH CHINA AND THEN TABLED. IT WILL THEN BE UP TO LEGCO TO ESTABLISH THE BEST POINT OF BALANCE. THIS PUTS A CONSIDERABLE RESPONSIBILITY ON THEM. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL PRODUCE A SATISFACTORY RESULT. THE BEST OUTCOME WOULD BE THE EMERGENCE OF COMPROMISE PROPOSALS WHICH MET OUR OBJECTIVES AND ALSO DEALT WITH THE POINTS WHICH THE CHINESE HAVE INDICATED PRIVATELY CAUSE THEM MOST DIFFICULTY.

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