TNAG-2732-FCO40-3938-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-1993 — Page 240

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THIS IS A COPY

THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN CLOSED UNDER

FOI EXEMPTION NO....27(1)

4. Sir J Coles discussed with you and me earlier today the

immediate issues which arise. Our conclusions are set out in

the draft letter to No 10. The key points for political decision will be:

How far we will be prepared to go in the course of discussions with China on amending the Governor's

proposals. The Governor's advice on that will be crucial and we propose to ask Hong Kong to contribute the section of the Steering Brief for the talks dealing with that

issue. I would envisage a Steering Brief setting out a fairly general description of the areas for possible amendment; and instructing the negotiators to refer back before reaching any agreement with the Chinese on

amendments, to enable Ministers and the Governor to take

the necessary decisions.

- Whether the publication of the Governor's proposals should be further delayed until we can see whether the talks make

progress. The views of the Governor and ExCo will be important here. I expect that ExCo will favour delay, at least for an initial period. Handling the liberals will

also be a factor.

The basis on which the talks will be held. We and the

Chinese are starting from very different positions.

This foreshadows a long and

sterile debate about principles.

We will want to ensure

that we have a basis to move the talks on to a discussion

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