TNAG-2731-FCO40-3937-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-1993 — Page 97

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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

of

The general expectation is that, whatever the shape

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 before

introduction into LegCo is as follows:

(a) It would give a clear signal to the Chinese that

we are prepared to amend the

proposals in a way

which is closer to their ideas and thus, it is

argued, would make them more disposed towards

resolution

discussion.

of

the

present dispute through

(NB : It should, however, be remembered

that there is likely to be a gulf between what the

Chinese want and what we are prepared to concede.

Thus we are talking here of a gesture.]

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