TNAG-2739-FCO40-3953-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development--through-tra-1993 — Page 15

Miss Brooks,

Legal Advisers

SECRET

(file)

FROM: P F Ricketts

(29)

DATE: 15 November 1993

cc: Mr Hum

Mr Bunten

1

UKB 01217

HONG KONG TALKS: THROUGH TRAIN OATH

1. Mr Bunten consulted you last week about Hong Kong's draft

of an oath. I now attach a further letter from Hong Kong indicating that, at the Governor's request, they plan to put

to ExCo on 16 November four alternatives for the clause on

subversion. I would be grateful if you could look quickly at this and let me know before the end of the day whether you see any particular reasons on legal grounds to prefer one or

another. My own feeling is that the second alternative is so

oblique as not to address the issue in worthwhile terms; and the third alternative makes an assumption that HKSAR laws will immediately be enacted under Article 23 of the Basic Law which is politically most unattractive. I therefore think that the choice is between alternative one and four, but on political rather than legal grounds.

diell

PF Ricketts

oath.min.PET

SLM

SECRET

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