TNAG-2731-FCO40-3937-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-1993 — Page 145

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7

stance on

LegCo

package of

contrary to

should be

Basic Law.

amendments.

They have said that an amended

proposals would not be acceptable if it were still

the Basic Law: by implication, an amended package

acceptable if it conforms in their view with the

THE CASE FOR AND AGAINST AMENDMENT

10

The general expectation is that, whatever the shape

of our proposals, once introduced into LegCo there will be

considerable debate and the proposals will probably be amended

in some form before enactment.

What is at issue now is

whether

the Government should take steps to

amend

these proposals before introducing them to the LegCo.

11

The

case for amending the proposals

introduction into LegCo is as follows :

before

to the Chinese that

proposals in a way

(a) It would give a clear signal

we are prepared to amend the

which is closer to their ideas and thus, it is

argued, would make them more disposed towards

resolution

discussion.

of

the

present dispute throug

(NB: It should, however, be remembere

that there is likely to be a gulf between what t

Chinese want and what we are prepared to conced

Thus we are talking here of a gesture.)

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