GOVERNMENT RELEASES GREEN PAPER ON CONSTITUTIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L HONG KONG 001832

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC FOR DENNIS WILDER
DEPT FOR EAP/CM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2032
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR PREL SOCI CH HK MC
SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT RELEASES GREEN PAPER ON CONSTITUTIONAL
REFORM

Classified By: E/P Chief Laurent Charbonnet. Reasons: 1.4(b and d)


1. (C) Hong Kong Government Chief Secretary Henry Tang
unveiled the details of the much anticipated "green paper" on
constitutional reform, in a presentation to the Legislative
Council (Legco) at 3:00 PM today. CS Tang's presentation
officially launched a three-month consultation period,
lasting until October 10, during which the government says it
hopes to build consensus on the timeframe and roadmap for the
implementation of universal suffrage for future Chief
Executive and Legislative Council elections. The paper did
not, however, include concrete proposals on what form
universal suffrage should take, or timing; rather, it
outlined the range of views now current. According to the
HKG press release, CS Tang said that "at this stage, the
HKSAR Government has not formed any specific views on the way
forward or ruled out any options." The HKG will brief the
diplomatic corps on the green paper on Thursday, July 12.
Post will report on initial public and private reactions to
the green paper in the coming days.


2. (U) The green paper can be read in its entirety online at
http://www.cmab-gpcd.gov.hk/en/consultation/i ndex.htm.
(Note: CS Tang's remarks can also be read online at
http://www.cmab-gpcd.gov.hk/doc/CSstatement-e .pdf. End note.)


3. (SBU) Press guidance: As of 7:30 PM, July 11 (HK time),
Post had not received any press queries regarding our views
on the green paper. We propose that we and the Department
use the following "if asked" press guidance, following the
release of the Hong Kong Government Green Paper on
Constitutional Reform:

If asked: Do you have any comments on the release of the
Hong Kong Government's "Green Paper" on electoral reform?

A: We are not going to comment on the Green Paper
itself. We support the advancement toward universal suffrage
in accordance with the wishes of the Hong Kong people. We
believe that the people of Hong Kong are especially well
prepared for and want universal suffrage as soon as possible.
The U.S. hopes that the discussion of electoral reform is a
real dialogue involving all interested parties, and that this
dialogue will result in genuine and early political reform
leading to universal suffrage.

Background: On July 11, the Hong Kong Government released a
"Green Paper" on electoral reform, which outlines a range of
ideas on the roadmap and timetable for the implementation of
universal suffrage, as guaranteed in the Basic Law.
Following a three-month public consultation period, the
government plans to submit a summary report to the PRC
central government.
Cunningham