TNAG-2732-FCO40-3938-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-1993 — Page 199

SECRET

غابة کم

Const. Deypt 88

FROM: P F Ricketts

Hong Kong Department

DATE: 18 March 1993

cc: Sir J Coles

Mr Davies, FED

Mr Hám

PS/Mr Goodlad

HKB

012/1

Private Secretary

RECEIVED IN

RISTRY

19 MAR 10

DESK O

INDEX

HONG KONG: THE WAY FORWARD

Problem

A 1.

Telegram from the Governor saying that, subject to our views, he plans to put to ExCo next week the proposal that the legislation on electoral issues should be introduced into LegCo

on 31 March.

Recommendation

2.

That we put to the Governor the arguments for not taking a

firm decision at this stage on introduction into LegCo. I

submit a draft telegram which will need to be despatched this

evening if possible.

Argument

•

At the Secretary of State's Office meeting on 15 March, we

reached the broad conclusion that it was worth using informal

channels

to sound out Chinese

thinking. We also recognise that it would be difficult to get any reliable feel for their private views until the PC was out

of the way.

way.for.PET

SECRET

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