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MDHIAN 80
'THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TODAY TOOK FURTHER THEIR WORK ON
THE PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS, INCLUDING A DISCUSSION OF LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD IMPLEMENT THE MAIN PACKAGE. THE COUNCIL INTEND THAT, AS PLANNED, A FINAL PACKAGE SHOULD BE PUT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER IN THE MONTH'.
(B) WE SUGGESTED THAT SIR R MCLAREN SHOULD SPEAK TO THE
CHINESE THIS WEEK. HE MIGHT SAY THAT HE WAS SORRY STILL NOT TO HAVE RECEIVED A REPLY TO WHAT HE HAD SAID ON 14 JANUARY. WE WERE STILL OPEN TO DISCUSSIONS WITHOUT PRE-CONDITIONS. WE INTENDED TO GAZETTE THE REMAINING LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS ON 12 FEBRUARY. WE WOULD PASS A COPY OF THIS SECOND BILL TO THE CHINESE BEFORE THEN.
(C) THE COUNCIL SHOULD FINALISE A STATEMENT ON 9 FEBRUARY WHICH IT WOULD ISSUE WHEN THE PACKAGE WAS GAZETTED ON 12 FEBRUARY. IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THIS DID NOT GIVE THE IMPRESSION OF GREAT SPLITS WITHIN THE COUNCIL, BUT IT WOULD NEED TO ENABLE MEMBERS TO BE EASY WITH THE WAY FORWARD WHICH HAD BEEN DECIDED UPON.
32. A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS WERE ASKED ON DETAILS OF THE LEGISLATION. NO/NO SPECIFIC AMENDMENTS WERE HOWEVER PROPOSED.
33.
THE COUNCIL AGREED TO THE PROPOSAL FOR THE CREATION OF DISTRICT AFFAIRS ADVISERS.
COMMENT
34. THE COUNCIL WAS CLEARLY PREPARED TO TAKE A DECISION TODAY. I JUDGED THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE NOT TO SEIZE THE MOMENT.
CLEARLY DID
NOT FAVOUR POSTPONING GAZETTING BEYOND 12 FEBRUARY. BUT WE HAVE LEFT OPEN ONE LAST CHANCE FOR THE CHINESE TO PROPOSE DISCUSSIONS IF THEY WANT THEM. BY 12 FEBRUARY THEY WILL HAVE HAD A FULL MONTH SINCE THE AMBASSADOR SPOKE TO THE HKMAO. I HOPE HE CAN NOW BE INSTRUCTED TO MAKE A DEMARCHE AS PROPOSED IN PARAGRAPH 31(B).
35. I AM VERY CONCERNED LEST THE CONTINUING LACK OF DECISION TO CLOSE OFF THE STERLING CHANNEL IS PREVENTING LU PING GIVING A REPLY. I THINK IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT A MESSAGE ON THE LINES YOU HAVE PROPOSED TO NO. 10 IS SENT BACK TO LORD STERLING'S
THIS IS A COPY
THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN
CLOSED UNDER
FOI EXEMPTION NO.....2.7.(!.)
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