1
EXTRACT.
Reference.......
J
RESTRICTED.
To Director of Commerce and Industry, Hong Kong.
From Counsellor (Hong Kong Affairs), Geneva.
Memorandum No. 77.
File No. GVA/ 4/34
RESTRICTED
Date 13 May 1969
Annex 1
II.B
GREECE
Non-tariff Barriers
Discussion on Hong Kong Notifications
in Sections V, Y and VI
Embargoes
9. As regards the embargo by Greece on imparts of cotton textiles from Hong Kong I pointed out that this was even more contrary to the GATT than discriminatory import restric- tions in that it put a complete stop on trade in the items concerned. Furthermore, as there was no means of knowing which items would be declared as being manufactured in Greece, this created additional uncertainty even for the trade that was still permitted. I pointed out that Greece was a party to the CTA and that they were therefore not only in breach of their obligations under the GATT in general, but also those they had accepted under the CTA. I suggested that, if they found that imports of cotton textiles from Hong Kong were causing market disruption, they should use the procedures available to them under the Arrangement, e.g., Article 3. If they did so, the Hong Kong Government would be ready to consult in accordance with its obligations. In this instance the Greek delegation merely stated that they would be replying to our notification in writing.
ECEIVED IN
R.GISTRY No.51 - 4 JUN 1969
11/K/6/358/1