TNAG-2731-FCO40-3937-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-1993 — Page 105

SECRET

IMMEDIATE

elections with the Chinese Government without pre-conditions and in an effort to reach an understanding between us.

The Chinese side will have seen the statement following the ExCo meeting on 2 February that ExCo have taken further their work on the package and intend that a final package should be put to LegCo later in February. Given that debate in LegCo is likely to be prolonged, we need to get the process underway soon if orderly arrangements are to be made for the 1994/95 elections.

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We wished to let the Chinese side know that on the basis of ExCo's advice, the Governor's intention is to publish draft Legislation on 12 February prior to its introduction into Leg Co.

We will, of course, give the Chinese side a copy of this draft Legislation in advance of publication, as we did with the Bill on the Boundary and Election Commission.

3. For your own information, I intend to send Qian a message to be handed over the same time as the draft legislation.

HURD

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ΜΑΙΝ

HK POLICY

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