Getting the proposals endorsed by Legco is important. But what is even more important is that the proposals must be publicly defensible and can stand the test of local and international opinion. In other words, they must permit democratic, open and fair elections.
Some Legco members have reportedly said they want an agreement with Peking "at any price." I do not think such short sighted and self serving outlook reflects the wishes and aspirations of most Hong Kong people.
After years of disagreement which culminated in the recent months of verbal bloodletting and mud-slinging, the atmosphere is such that an agreement with China on political arrangements will be seen by many to be not worth the paper it is writtėñ
on.
Hence I do not attach much significance to the so-called "through train." If the situation continues to deteriorate, Hong Kong people have to be prepared for a scenario in which a two-year term, the Legco elected in 1995 will only serve leaving the Chinese Government to organize fresh elections when they take over in July 1997.
If the Governor introduces a democratic package and it is substantially amended or rejected by Legco, then it is up to Legco members to answer to the people of Hong Kong on why they capitulate.
As we approach 1997, there are more and more dark clouds on the horizon. On the day I met the Governor, representatives of news proprietors and senior editors told the Legco Information Policy Panel which I chaired that 70-80% of the people in the news profession were unsure whether they would remain in the profession in 1997. They expressed concern about losing press freedom and said fear of reprisals and persecution by Peking had made journalists practise self- censorship.
The next few years will be difficult and possibly turbulent. Despite being let down many times before, Hong Kong people have no option but to rely on the British Government to stand firm and defend their rights and interests. Only by doing so can Britain fulfill her moral and constitutional responsibility to the Hong Kong people and withdraw with honour
in 1997.
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