TNAG-2736-FCO40-3944-Hong-Kong-role-of-the-Legislative-Council-(LEGCO)-1994 — Page 6

CONFIDENTIAL

機密

it

risks

community

criticism that we are being

truculent and confrontational;

the

are

proposals,

OS

particularly in respect of the EC,

unlike what is contemplated in the Basic Law

that it would be much easier for the Chinese to justify

their

оп grounds of

dismantlement

in

1997

incompatibility with the Basic Law;

our credibility will suffer if we are perceived to be expecting a watered-down outcome; and

EXCO is likely to be divided, and LegCo will definitely

amend the package substantially.

Second-stage Bill based on 1993 Package?

4.

Pros

it is much closer than the 1992

arrangements envisaged in the

will

attract

lesser

a lower-calibrated reaction;

package to the

Basic

Chinese

Law; as such it

criticism, and

it broadly conforms with the sort of package that the

majority of LegCo members expect us to put forward, and

would probably be acceptable to the community;

consequently, it will probably find easier passage

through EXCO (although a few EXCO liberals will be

strongly opposed

it). There will likely be strong

pressure

for further watering down, but

to

package's basic framework will survive; and

the

GF 323

CONFIDENTIAL 機密