TNAG-2739-FCO40-3953-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development--through-tra-1993 — Page 7

CONFIDENTIAL

FM FCO

TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

TELNO

1094

OF 291542Z DECEMBER 93

£

CONFIDENTIAL

HUB 012/7

нев

1J34

INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG

STRY on Taken

p.4. in rough Train

(072/7)

005001

MDHOAN 2705

TOP COPY

Q DIST?

33

FOR PS/GH FROM MORRIS, HKD

YOUR TELNO 1927 AND PEKING TELNO 1633: NCNA ON THROUGH TRAIN

STATEMENTS BY HKMAO AND

32

1.

There has been little press interest here in these statements. News Department Duty Officer received some enquiries

He confined his on 28 December (though none on 29 December). comments to reiterating our wish to continue talks on the more complex issues with a view to reaching agreement. We are content with your proposed lines to take in para 2 of first TUR. If News Department receive any further enquiries they will deploy a shortened line based on your points, as follows:

- Do not propose to comment on every alleged statement by unnamed Chinese Government spokesmen.

- Our position is well known: disappointed that after seventeen rounds of talks, and considerable efforts by the British side, we have still not been able to achieve agreement. Now that we have gained a bit more time by starting the legislative process on the more straight-forward issues, we are ready to concentrate our efforts in the limited remaining time on more difficult issues including the "Through Train".

(If pressed)

Surprised that the Chinese statement should suggest that the 1994 District Boards and 1995 Municipal Councils will contravene the Basic Law. This view does not accord with the facts.

HURD

YYYY