TNAG-2989-FCO40-3575-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-talks-betwee-1992 — Page 136

The 1995 Election Committee

144. That leaves one other matter which presents a special challenge.

145. The Election Committee-which will be necessary in 1995 unless the Basic Law is changed will have to elect up to ten Members of this Council. The composition of the Election Committee for 1995 is not laid down in the Basic Law. In fact, the Basic Law makes clear that the Committee's composition will not be that prescribed for 1999.

146. If we are to have an Election Committee, the ideal would be one genuinely representative of the community. Given that all Members of LegCo have to be elected in 1995, it makes sense that the electors on the Committee should also themselves have been elected. Anything less might be taken as appointment by proxy. The simplest and most effective formula to achieve this for any 1995 body would be to draw all or most of its members from the directly-elected District Boards; they should be able to vote for any qualified candidate and not just members of the Election Committee.

The Overall Objectives

147. Let me repeat one simple point. What I have tried to do with these proposals is to meet two objectives which I understand represent the views of the community-to extend democracy while working within the Basic Law. All the proposals I have outlined would, I believe, be compatible with the provisions of the Basic Law. What these arrangements should give us, therefore, is a "through train" of democracy running on the tracks laid down by the Basic Law.

CONCLUSION

148. As you all know, later this month, I will be going to Peking. I will be holding detailed discussions there about some of the major issues which will determine the Territory's future, including our proposals for the 1995 election arrangements and the best way to settle differences of opinion over financing the new airport.

149. At the same time, I will have an underlying message to convey to the Chinese Government, a theme which will form the basis for all that I have to say. I will be emphasising:

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