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support in the community for proceeding with a
project in the face of Chinese intransigence.
Develop contingency plans for dealing with active
Chinese harassment. In many cases, HKG can do little to prevent Chinese measures, but will need to be prepared to cope with the consequences (eg using emptying Vietnamese Migrant camps to house
illegal immigrants, stepping up police and RN
patrols against smuggling). Decisions on the rate of reduction of the garrison will need to
take account of the possibility of civil unrest, eg in the run-up to the 1995 elections. We and
HKG will need to do what we can to sustain morale
in the Civil Service (eg adequate pension
safeguard arrangements).
Tailpiece: A Note on Timing
12.
The Governor's public objective is to have the
electoral legislation passed before the LegCo summer recess (21 July on present plans). This suggests that the
legislation will need to be introduced by mid-May at the very
latest. Our position is that there is no reason why
Sino-British talks and the LegCo debate should not proceed in
parallel, since we would recommend any understanding to LegCo
(unstated addition: and most in LegCo would be likely to welcome it with open arms). But if talks start, the Chinese will ensure that they continue beyond any deadline we try to impose. Many LegCo members will resist debating the Bills in
parallel with Sino-British talks. So we will face a dilemma
in May as to whether to bring talks to an end or accept that
the July deadline will be unattainable. As on other issues,
HongKongissuesahead/BRIEFS/NJH
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