THE 11th round of Sino-British negotiations ended with the distressing news that the two sides are prepared for a breakdown of talks. It has brought an anti-climax to five months of waiting, anxiety and tension for Hong Kong people who watched, in quiet anticipation, the making of their own fate by the two sovereign states. To them, the future now looks bleak. Are the negotiations on Hong Kong's political system really so complicated that negotiators at the upper diplomatic echelons in Beijing and London cannot find a way out of the deadlock? Has polarisation driven China and Britain so far apart, that there is no meeting point and no possibility of bargaining? If we look closely at some of the unresolved key issues of the negotiations reported in the South China Morning Post on September 10, we may find that an impasse is not inevitable. As long as the basic principles agreed upon by Britain and China are upheld, and at the same time concessions are made to accommodate new political needs in keeping with changing times, differences could, in fact, be resolved. In some areas, certain criteria ought to be clearly spelled out to ensure that high principles are practicable and acceptable to the people of Hong Kong. In other issues, there are clear indicators found in the many public opinion surveys to guide the negotiators. For all issues, the guiding principle of democratic elections cannot be emphasised enough. Unfortunately, what seems workable may have been rejected outright, by the negotiators for political reasons. Indeed, political considerations, governed by self-interest, pride and prejudice, can easily jeopardise sensible and rational judgement. Decision-making can further be wrought by mutual mistrust coloured by historical overtones. But then, when Israel and Palestine have just overcome their long-standing differences and confrontation to sign a peace pact, why on earth can an agreement not be reached between China and Britain over the future of Hong Kong? Since 1984, Hong Kong people, through no fault of our own, have been helplessly torn between the diplomatic wrangles of China and Britain; and all we can do is to wait for the final verdict to be passed on us. Strangely enough, the news of the potential talks breakdown has been so passively received in Hong Kong that even the political parties and the mass media do not seem to feel pinched by the strong sense of betrayal. Most people have probably given up hope and have become resigned to the harsh reality. But for some, any attempt to break off the talks is totally undemocratic, unfair and unacceptable. Since the forthcoming 12th round is crucial to the outcome of the talks, it is imperative for Hong Kong people to speak up on our own political future. Only by so doing can we challenge the negotiators to come up with a satisfactory solution. This is theleast they can do to make Hong Kong a better place for us all to stay. PATSY LEUNG Mid-Levels
