{
CONFIDENTIAL
ET MON
6/31
4.
2
10 September, 1969
When considering what can and should be done at this stage on behalf of Hong Kong, the temptation is to resort to masterly inactivity. Certainly, if we formally remind the Commission of Hong Kong's G.A.T. T. rights, this is not likely to influence them
them greatly in their future sectorial proposals nor to prevail on to make the quota limits in the present
It may ones more generous. of course help to bolster up those more liberally inclined member states to work for something more generous than the present Commission proposals; but even for them we must recognise that
On the other hand we Japan will bulk much larger than Hong Kong.
shall presumably, at some time or another, have to stand up for Hong Kong's G.A.T.T. rights and, in conjunction with Hong Kong officials, try to get the best possible deal with the Community. And it is this question of timing which preoccupies me.
5.
The problem is that the same time scale as may cover Community adoption of the present sectorial proposals may also include
Is it in our negotiations for British entry to the Community. interest that we should have made a formal démarche on behalf of Hong Kong's G.A.T.T. rights before our own negotiations begin or would it be better to leave the whole matter to be swept up into the consideration of Hong Kong's trade relations with the enlarged Community which will presumably have to take place during or shortly after negotiations for our entry? Without any idea at the moment of how we plan to handle the Hong Kong question in negotiations, I am not at all clear where the balance of advantage lies. But I think this whole complex of questions must be borne in mind if the Hong Kong authorities now approach us with a request to take action with the Community on their behalf.
nice
How mile to be in touch with you again!
Hours ever.
Menneth
(K.C. Christofas)
CONFIDENTIAL
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