TNAG-2734-FCO40-3942-Hong-Kong-role-of-the-Legislative-Council-(LEGCO)-1993 — Page 88

GOVERMENT HOUSE HONG KONG.

FRI 12 MAR 93 06:58

PG. 13.

RESTRICTED

Q10

What would be your aim in any talks, assuming they

got underway?

A10

To achieve an understanding on arrangements for the

1994/95 elections which are open, fair and

acceptable to the people of Hong kong. Cannot

believe that China would not wish to see this as

well.

011

A11

How would you judge what would be likely to be

acceptable to Hong Kong people?

Already have had the benefit of LegCo Members' views as expressed in debates and in contribution to compendium. Will continue to

keep in touch with political groups and

individual LegCo Members in the weeks ahead.

Judgement of what would be likely to be

acceptable would be one for me and Hong Kong

Government to take. But since it would be for

LegCo to enact precise electoral arrangements

for 1994/95, you would be in an excellent

position to let us know if you considered that

we had got that judgement wrong.

A12

Q12

You said that you would never accept pre-conditions

for talks. Why have you now done so?

It is a

I have not accepted any pre-conditions.

matter of fact and commonsense that any talks must have as their starting point agreements and

understandings previously reached by the two sides. Since I have consistently made clear my belief that

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