TNAG-2732-FCO40-3938-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-1993 — Page 167

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QUESTION OF TALKS DURING THE EASTER RECESS WE SHOULD INTRODUCE THE REMAINING LEGISLATION ON 21 OR 28 APRIL. PUBLICLY HOWEVER WE SHOULD SIMPLY SAY AT THIS STAGE THAT WE WOULD TAKE A DECISION AFTER EASTER.

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ALL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL RECOGNISED HOW DIFFICULT TALKS WOULD BE IF THEY STARTED. BUT THE COMMUNITY WANTED THEM AND WE SHOULD NOT LEAN ON A LAMPPOST BETWEEN NOW AND 21 APRIL. MR GOODLAD THEREFORE PLANNED TO TELL AMBASSADOR MA THAT, AS BEFORE, WE REMAINED HAPPY TO HOLD TALKS. THE SIMPLEST BASIS ON WHICH TO INITIATE THEM WOULD BE THE STATEMENT AGREED IN EARLY MARCH, WITH THE DATE FILLED IN. WE SHOULD TRY TO AVOID ARGUMENTS ON REPRESENTATION IF WE COULD ALTHOUGH WE WOULD PROBABLY NEED TO DEVISE A WAY ROUND THIS POINT.

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