H631
For Benelux textiles file
ABG
8.6.67.
CONFIDENTIAL
28
CYPHER/CAT A
IMMEDIATE BRUSSELS
TEL NO 299
CONFIDENTIAL
TO FOREIGN OFFICE
7 JUNE 1967
ADDRESSED TO GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELNO 11 OF JUNE 7 REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO THE HAGUE, UKMIS GENEVA (FOR JONES), AND BOARD OF TRADE
FOLLOWING FROM MARTIN.
YOUR TELEGRAM M 335.
COTTON TEXTILE EXPORTS FROM HONG KONG TO THE BENELUX COUNTRIES:-
THE FIVE POINTS SET OUT IN YOUR TELEGRAM WERE COMMUNICATED TO THE BENELUX GOVERNMENTS AND THEY HAVE REPLIED AS UNDER: (A) THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE BENELUX COUNTRIES ARE OF THE OPINION THAT THE PERIOD OF SIXTY DAYS MENTIONED IN ARTICLE 3 OF THE LONG TERM ARRANGEMENT REGARDING INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN COTTON TEXTILES, BEGINS THE DAY AFTER THE OFFICIAL REQUEST FOR CONSULTATIONS HAS BEEN DEPOSITED WITH THE GOVERNMENT WHICH HAS SIGNED THE INTERNATIONAL ARRANGEMENT, IN THIS CASE GREAT BRITAIN.
THE INITIAL DATE OF THE SAID PERIOD SHOULD THEREFORE
BE 18TH, MAY 1967.
(B) THE BENELUX GOVERNMENTS HAVE TAKEN NOTE OF THE WILLING- NESS OF THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES TO ENTER INTO CONSULTATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS IS ALSO THEIR WISH, AS FOR THE PLACE AND THE DATE OF THE MEETING THE BENELUX WOULD LIKE TO REVERT TO THIS POINT IN THE COMING DAYS. THE BENELUX WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT THEY ARE PREPARED, IF THIS IS AGREEABLE TO THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES, TO ENTER INTO DISCUSSIONS IN A SIMILAR WAY AS WAS RECENTLY DONE FOR COTTON SHIRTS. IT IS ALSO THEIR WISH TO ARRIVE TO A MUTUALLY ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION WITHIN THE SIXTY DAY PERIOD,
(C) ON THE BASE OF THE REFERENCE PERIOD COVERING 8TH FEBRUARY 1966 31ST JANUARY 1967, THE IMPORT QUOTAS FOR THE PERIOD 18TH MAY 1967, UP TO AND INCLUDING 17TH JULY 1967, HAVE BEEN FIXED AS UNDER
CAST
21
FF.
30
14X1
R.F.
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 63
HWB 6/2
CONFIDENTIAL
/BENELUX