VZCZCXRO9155
PP RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHHK #1832 1921116
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 111116Z JUL 07
FM AMCONSUL HONG KONG
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2256
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY

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