LAST
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CONFIDENTIAL
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
D. 13 June, 1967.
13
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Cypher
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34
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IMMEDIATE
CONFIDENTIAL No. 834.
FOR RESISTRATION
Addressed to Brussels (for Martin) No. M.393. Repeated "U.K. Mission Geneva (for Jones)
No. M.394. "The Hague No. M.395. (S. of S. please pass IMMEDIATE to all).
Forthcoming Cotton Textiles Negotiations with
the Benelux Countries.
Simultaneously with the arrival of your telegram we were informed by the Netherlands Consul-General that "a small delegation will arrive for consultations in Hong Kong in the first week of July". We are expecting a similar notification from the Belgian Consul-General. It seems therefore, that a firm decision to come here has now been taken but, if you think it necessary, please remind De Theulegoed and De Waard (a) that the Benelux countries are seeking the consultations (under article 3 of the L.T.A.); and (b) that we were in Brussels in November. However, apart from these reasons why we think it would be appropriate for for the Benelux representatives to come here, it would be of presentational value for us to be seen to be holding an exercise of this sort at this time in Hong Kong. We have already made this latter point to the Consuls-General. They appreciated it and we understand they advised their Governments accordingly. If you have a suitable opportunity, however, you yourself might make the point directly.
2. The week beginning 3 July, or indeed, any time between now and the end of the 60 day consultation period would suit us. (For your information, we have no other commitments during this period now that we have virtually completed negotiations on polyester/cotton garments with the Canadians.)
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Mr. P. Sedgwick Cablegram Section
CONFIDENTIAL