CYPHER/CAT A
PRIORITY PRETORIA
TELEGRAM NUMBER 735
CONFIDENTIAL
Preferences File
TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
24 SEPTEMBER 1969
CONFIDENTIAL.
[NEUTRAL]
YOUR TELNO. 663.
UNCTAD GENERALISED PREFERENCES,
WE ASKED D.F.A. TO LET US KNOW WHEN WE COULD EXPECT SOUTH AFRICAN
COMMENTS. LINDHORST HAS TODAY TOLD BRYAN THAT OUR NOTE DATED
16 SEPTEMBER WAS RECEIVED ON 18 SEPTEMBER AND HAS ONLY TODAY
BEEN SENT TO DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE. D.F.A. ARE PRESSING THEM
TO COMMENT URGENTLY BUT CANNOT YET GIVE ANY INDICATION AS TO
WHEN WE CAN EXPECT COMMENTS. THERE MAY BE CONSIDERABLE DELAY BECAUSE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND SECRETARY FOR AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND MARKETING ARE BOTH ABROAD UNTIL TOWARDS THE END
OF OCTOBER.
2. WE THINK IT IS MOST UNLIKELY THAT SOUTH AFRICANS WILL MODIFY THEIR POSITION IN REGARD TO ITEMS ON WHICH THEY HAVE CONTRACTUAL PREFERENCES AND THEY ARE ALSO LIKELY TO MAINTAIN IT ON OTHER ITEMS.
SIR J. NICHOLLS
INTERNATIONAL TRADE DISTRIBUTION
T.P.D.
GGGGG
VED IN REGISTRYNO.51
29 SEP 1969
14KK 6/12
COPIES TO :
MR. J.H. HOLROYD, MR. J.G. MORRIS,
M.A.F.F. BOARD OF TRADE.
CONFIDENTIAL