94
163.
I explained last year why it was
35
necessary to
discuss
these proposals with China. It is clear that our
community wants open, fair slections.
the
It is also clear that
community wants continuity after 1997.
People naturally
want to be confident that the Members they elect in 1995 may expect to serve a full four year term in this Council. That
is why I said last year that my proposals would require serious discussion with Peking; and why I made it plain that they were proposals, not final decisions. From the outset
we were prepared for genuine talks.
164.
underway.
In the avant it took many months to get talks
There have now been twelve rounds, the British
very ably led by the Ambassador in Peking, Sir
team being
Robin McLaren,
administration.
and
including
representatives of my
It is a matter of regret that I am not yet able to report agreement on any of the matters covered by my
proposals.
165.
The negotiators have agreed that the content of
their talks shall be confidential and I shall not breach
that understanding. But Members of this Council have a
right to know about
the status of my proposals, particularly in the light of
press leaks about new proposals tabled by the British side.
I can confirm that the British side did table revised
proposals in July and August this year. These differ, in
for functional constituencies
the British approach to the talks and
respect of the
arrangements
* MUST B
:
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.