TNAG-2815-FCO40-4061-Future-of-Hong-Kong-International-Rights-and-Obligations-(IR-1993 — Page 232

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Conduction

the soundness that you go back to Van Houtven with a statement on of Hong Kong's finances and the importance of not undermining Hong Kong's autonomy. I attach a note on the constitutional position for you to leave with him.

Tigetable

on

it would be If the institutions insist on an assurance, I think

not

to impossible very difficult if

continue vith the fast timetable.

is The Chancellor's last box before the holidays 28 July.

It might be possible to get the considered view of the Hong Kong authorities in time for a Ministerial decision before Board paper issued оп 15 August, but it is. more likely that we would have to wait until the Chancellor returned in September. deciding how fast we need to move, it would be helpful to know

the fast more about the attractions of

timetable to us. institutions certainly do not appear to want to move quickly.

Next steps

1

In

The

Depending on the institutions ansver on the assurance' we can decide

If

of the hov to play the issue.

a statement constitutional position suffices and if there is still a chance of

we would making the fast timetable,

would put a

to submission

the Chancellor before the holiday bringing him up to speed with the

It signatures.

vould be proposal and asking for the necessary helpful if you could let me know what exactly needs to be signed, who needs to sign (ie could Alternate Governor's do so?) and when. If,

on the other hand, the institutions insist upon an assurance, the likelihood is that we will only be able to put up to Ministers a situation report, alerting them to the proposal to hold the 1997

in Hong seetings

and flagging the Hong Kong

difficulty

"assurance".

on

the

Perhaps you could let ne know if you see any difficulties in

to If not, the first step is proceeding in this way.

more

find out about the 'assurance' to see if we have a problem. It would be helpful if you could let me know quickly the outcome of further discussions with the institutions on this point.

I am copying this letter to John Millett and Nigel Whitney at the FCO, Norman Chan in Hong Kong and to Peter Sedgwick, Barry Kalen and Helen Roberts here.

Cried at 10.00 mm

27/7.

пр

R Burdock

J CONLIPYE

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