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FOI EXEMPTION NO.....27(1)
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DESKBY
firm decision at this stage to introduce legislation into LegCo
on 31 March. The NPC may still be in its closing stages by then,
and introduction at that moment could well prompt the Chinese to
further ratchet up their opposition, perhaps by taking concrete
and irrevocable steps such as establishing the sort of
preparatory bodies they have been threatening.
4. We noted from your telno 431 that there is strong support
right across the community and the political spectrum for
continuing the efforts to get back to the negotiating table. I
therefore suggest that we might take things forward in stages:
It would be useful to get some informal sounding of private
Chinese thinking over the next week or so.
At ExCo on 23 March, you might sound members out on the way
forward and the pros and cons of introduction of the legislation
on 31 March.
The subsequent ExCo meeting on 30 March might be the best
moment to decide whether to go ahead with introduction in the
Light of any subsequent developments, any reports of Chinese
thinking, and views in the community. A disadvantage of that
timing is that we would be unable to give the Chinese side more
than 24-hours advance notice. That is all the more reason for
preparing the ground with them informally beforehand.
Any
earlier notification would in any case be seen by them as a further ultimatum. I see no easy way round that problem.
5.
It may be that by the time of ExCo on 30 March we will be
better
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.