TNAG-2989-FCO40-3575-Future-of-Hong-Kong-constitutional-development-talks-betwee-1992 — Page 81

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DIFFICULTY WITH CHINA'S PRE CONDITIONS FOR TALKS BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE JD: THE BL IS SILENT ON ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS: AND THERE WAS NO SECRET DEAL IN 1990.

F) HAVE EXPRESSED WILLINGNESS TO IMPLEMENT QIAN QICHEN'S SUGGESTION OF DISCUSSIONS THROUGH JLG OR DIRECTLY WITH GOVERNOR. AWAIT REPLY.

G) (IF NECESSARY) HARD TO SEE THAT THREATS TO THE THROUGH-TRAIN WOULD DO ANYTHING TO PROMOTE HONG KONG'S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY.

B. HMG STATEMENT

A) HMG FULLY SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

B) THEY HAVE WON BROAD SUPPORT FROM THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.

C) THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAVE SAID DISCUSSIONS SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN JLG OR DIRECTLY WITH GOVERNOR. WE AGREE, AND HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT WE ARE READY TO START SUCH DISCUSSIONS. WE AWAIT

REPLY.

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D) IF THE CHINESE DO NOT LIKE THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS THEY SHOULD PUT FORWARD SPECIFIC ALTERNATIVES WHICH THEY BELIEVE WOULD BE OPEN, FAIR AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG - CRITERIA PROPOSED BY THE GOVERNOR AND ACCEPTED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.

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