4
CONFIDENTIAL
Action Taken to
inform Hong Kong
Country
File Refs
By Originator
By F.C.O.
REMARKS
EFTA (Geneva)
86B 21/4/69
EEC (Brussels) 78A 14/4/69
NOT REPEATED (possibly gist of talks forwarded to HK by Jones)
Report of Conversation between Stans, EFTA Secretary-General and Ministerial Chairman (Andersen). EFTA's liberal outlook on World Trade emphasised and its beneficial effects on 3rd Countries. On Textiles Andersen claimed EFTA countries had made structural changes instead of attacking Imports. Lancashire quoted as an example. NEHMER challenged this; he has a dossier on European restrictions on Imports and quoted UK restraints on Portuguese Exports. As with GATT and REC Stans suggested vaguely a 'deal', e.g. Abolition of ASP etc.
Repeated in Part 18/4/69 to Hong Kong
Stans suggested GATT meeting in June; EEC argued insufficient information to justify this. US would like extension of LTA; principally worried about Asian Textiles. Stans pushed Political side, but others of US Team stressed Economic Problem (notably Nehmer). US argued that concession on Textiles necessary if US to make concessions on ASP etc. EEC appeared unconvinced.
CONFIDENTIAL