TNAG-2735-FCO40-3943-Hong-Kong-role-of-the-Legislative-Council-(LEGCO)-1993 — Page 94

77

see (77

CONFIDENTIAL

FM FCO

TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

TELNO 798

CONFIDENTIAL

MUB 012 /3 012/3

RECE

DESK AC INDEX

PA

OF 021707Z SEPTEMBER 93

INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG

USTRY

1993

REGISTRY Action Taken

다.

p.m. Rouzleglo

(78) 017173

MDHOAN 7461

TOP COPY Q DIST?

YOUR TELNO 1402: STATUS OF LEGCO PANELS:

Thank you for alerting us to this. Our immediate thoughts are as follows.

1.

2.

Subject to Peking's view, we think that your TUR underestimates the Likely Chinese reaction. They will surely see this as another quote petty trick unquote in which we colluding with the UD and friends to strengthen LegCo's independence etc. They might even interpret this in conspiratorial vein as part of a strategy to get your constitutional proposals through LegCo. The Chinese kicked up a considerable fuss when this was last an active issue and we think that publication of draft Legislation is all too likely to reignite it.

3.

Following on from that we wonder whether is really no pretext to delay the publication/introduction of this draft legislation. We are not clear from TUR to what extent the timing is in your hands. Publication in early September is likely to introduce another bone of contention into the electoral talks in the run up to the Foreign Ministers' meeting in New York.

If it was possible, we would see considerable advantages in delaying publication into October and introduction into LegCo until later in the year.

On the question of forewarning the Chinese, we are inclined to share your view on the grounds that if early publication is inevitable, it will be in our interests to take the line with the Chinese that the whole issue falls within LegCo's powers and that the timing has been a matter for them. Can we also say that the

On the drafting of legislation has been in the hands of LegCo? proposed press line, the final sentence could be strengthened by pointing out that this is not a matter affecting convergence since a) it is not an area governed by the Basic Law and b) LegCo is free to change the panel system both before and

1

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