CONSUL GENERAL DISCUSSES DELAY IN CONSTITUTIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L HONG KONG 000139 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/CM E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2019 TAGS: PGOV PHUM HK SUBJECT: CONSUL GENERAL DISCUSSES DELAY IN CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM CONSULTATION WITH CHIEF EXECUTIVE TSANG REF: HONG KONG 114 Classified By: Consul General Joe Donovan for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) During a January 21 meeting with Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive Donald Tsang, the Consul General noted that our reaction to his decision to postpone starting consultations on 2012 election reforms (reftel) had been low-key. The Consul General explained that our public response was due in large part to the CE's statements stressing that he would begin these consultations in the fourth quarter of CY 2009. For the time being, we would reiterate our belief that the people of Hong Kong are ready now for universal suffrage and our support for the aspirations of the people of Hong Kong in this regard, the Consul General said. ¶2. (C) CE Tsang responded that the 2017 and 2020 dates for universal suffrage could not be changed, since they were mandated by the National People's Congress. In addition, he would move ahead on reforms for the 2012 elections in the fourth quarter of this year. Tsang complained that he needed to focus now on Hong Kong's response to the global financial/economic crisis. Tsang asserted that he would have all of 2010 to get these reforms in place in time for the 2012 elections. Tsang added that he hoped economic conditions will have improved by the end of 2009. ¶3. (C) Comment: Tsang refrained from implying that Beijing was behind his decision to postpone these consultations. For his part, Tsang evinced no enthusiasm for undertaking such a contentious political issue during Hong Kong's economic recession. Unlike his public statements, Tsang was less categorical that he would not further delay launching the consultation process. We will look for opportunities to remind him that any additional delays will cause greater public concern in the international community. DONOVAN