TNAG-2732-FCO40-3938-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-1993 — Page 170

SECRET

122777

MDHIAN 5357

STATEMENT ON THE QUESTION OF INTRODUCING THE LEGISLATION INTO LEGCO. THIS WAS AGREED.

COMMENT 23.

THE WAY IS NOW CLEAR FOR MR GOODLAD TO SPEAK TO AMBASSADOR MA AS PROPOSED. FOR THE REASONS I GAVE DURING THE EXCO DISCUSSION, I SUGGEST THAT WE DO NOT TRY TO WIDEN THE SCOPE OF ANY TALKS WITH CHINA TO INCLUDE ECONOMIC ISSUES. NOR DO I THINK THAT WE SHOULD AT THIS STAGE GIVE ANOTHER DEADLINE TO THE CHINESE.

24.

I DELIBERATELY AVOIDED DISCUSSION IN EXCO OF FORMULAE FOR FINESSING THE ISSUE OF REPRESENTATION. SUCH A DISCUSSION WOULD ALMOST INEVITABLY HAVE LEAKED FROM EITHER THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT. THIS IS AN ISSUE WHICH I AM READY TO DISCUSS IN LONDON. BUT IT WILL BE IMPORTANT TO GAUGE THE CHINESE REACTION TO MR GOODLAD'S MESSAGE BEFORE CONSIDERING WAYS OF GETTING ROUND THE CORNER THE CHINESE HAVE CREATED FOR THEMSELVES.

PATTEN

YYYY

ΜΑΙΝ

.HK POLICY

65

DISTRIBUTION

71

NTCD

HKD

PUSD

FED

LEGAL ADVISERS//MS BARRETT LEGAL ADVISERS//MISS BROOKS LEGAL ADVISERS//MR GILES NEWS D

PLANNERS

RAD

PS

PS/MR GOODLAD

SIR J COLES MR HUM

ADDITIONAL

CAOFF//SIR R BRAITHWAITE (DIO) CAOFF//MISS NEVILLE-JONES

NNNGJ

PS NO 10.