TNAG-2777-FCO40-3994-Parliamentary-relations-White-Paper-on-Representational-Gove-1993 — Page 90

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already includes strong arguments to refute this. But another point worth noting is the comparison between our proposals and the "ultimate aim" in the Basic Law of complete universal suffrage for LegCo. Against that yardstick, we have only proposed modest steps designed not

to achieve sweeping democratisation but to bolster the rule of law protecting the legislative against manipulation. This point might be made in paragraph 17 or 18.

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Paragraphs 17/18: in the event of a breakdown there will no doubt be a redoubling accusations from the Chinese that Governor's original

original proposals breached Joint Declaration, the Basic Law and the 1989/90 exchanges. The draft might contain more specific rebuttals of such charges, and explain that, to maximise the chances of a through train, great care was taken to ensure that the proposals did not make breaches of this kind. (Atg PA)

Paragraphs 16/17/18: in addition to the present text on initial contacts with the PRC, we might also indicate that:

(a)

(b)

(c)

our decision not to embark on secret negotiations was due not just to worries about creating uncertainty but also to a sense of obligation to the community to give it an opportunity to

to express its views on the proposals;

the PRC might reasonably have taken reassurance from the marks of good faith which Mr. Patten was able to offer (i.e. not pursuing more directly-elected seats or the politicisation of ExCo);

in any case, any agreement would have to give rise to legislation and it was important to carry political opinion along if only to avoid another debacle similar to the Court of Final Appeal. (Head, CPU)

Paragraph 17, last sentence: might say that the stock market fell "temporarily". (Head, CPU)

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