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MDHOAN
and say that we would not be able to go into the detail of the negotiating positions. But we would aim to cover the following
themes:
The broad context: particularly that we had always been willing to consider alternatives to the 'Governor's October 1992 proposals provided that the resulting elections would be open, fair and acceptable to the people of Hong Kong. Hence no surprise that we are exploring whether a package solution could be devised involving revisions to the Governor's proposals which would still meet our essential requirements and also be acceptable to the Chinese.
The need for arrangements to provide for broadly based and open elections, not selection of individuals, or election by very small manipulable groups. Hence it was essential that the Election Committee should itself be elected, and should conduct its elections openly and fairly: and that the FCs should be of substantial importance with a reasonably large electorate.
The central importance of the "through train". For the sake of continuity we had agreed to work on the basis of the pattern laid down in the Basic Law with its cumbersome panoply of EC, FCs etc. But this was only worthwhile if the Chinese were prepared to recommend sensible objective criteria to the Preparatory Committee.
5. On deadlines, we would propose not to comment on speculation about October/December, sticking to the line that there is not infinite time, and that legislation would need to be put to LegCo in good time for the practical arrangements to be made.
6.
Before consulting Ministers, grateful to know whether you and other addressees agree that an exercise of this kind would be worth trying, and for any comments on the main points to get
across.
HURD
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