TNAG-2735-FCO40-3943-Hong-Kong-role-of-the-Legislative-Council-(LEGCO)-1993 — Page 32

ات کی

view, with our support, that it was right for Hong Kong people to know the approach we have been taking in the talks and the status of the proposals he announced last year. He therefore explains (paragraphs 164 and 165 of the speech) that in an effort to meet Chinese concerns, we have put forward revised proposals in the talks on the functional constituencies and

election committee. These represent a major move. They show that we are serious in seeking to make a success of the talks. The revised proposals are of course consistent with the proposals I set out above. We would be prepared to commend them to the Legislative Council provided that they formed part of a satisfactory overall agreement including acceptable

arrangements of the "through train".

5. As Chris Patten makes plain, we believe that it should be possible to reach agreement with the Chinese Government on

arrangements which are fully compatible with the Joint Declaration, the Basic Law and any other relevant agreements.

We shall continue the talks in October with that aim: the

next Round is on 11 12 October. But we now have only weeks rather than months to conclude these talks if enough time is to be left to make the practical arrangements for elections in

1994 and 1995.

6. Whatever the outcome of the talks, it will be for the Legislative Council to consider and pass the necessary legislation. Chris Patten emphasises that the Hong Kong Government will not · indeed cannot go further than the

-

community and its legislature wish them to do.

7.

Our responsibility for holding elections in Hong Kong is of course only one aspect of our wider responsibility under the Joint Declaration to administer Hong Kong until 30 June 1997. We intend to carry out that responsibility to the full. There will also be a continuing need for Britain and China to

lt.drcolleag.PETER

JEB