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