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(since our arguments are really mostly political) would certainly be worth making at the right time; and also perhaps to Mr. Peterson. He also recommended that both cases be Secretary of State Rogers during the O.E.C.D. Ministerial meeting
put to next month; the best thing would be for British Ministers and senior officials to tackle both Mr. Rogers and Mr. Samuels together
9.
Alec Hermann and I do not think it likely that any new representations will persuade the Americans to seize the nettle now and make a positive decision in favour of Hong Kong before putting legislation to the Congress. We rather doubt if even an unexpectedly helpful decision by the Japanese would move them to greater s peed, though in the end their favourable decision may prove to be crucial. On the other hand, though there is obviously a fair degree of willingness to dosomething for Hong Kong (if it can be done without arousing too much opposition) there is obviasly also a danger that the first hostile question in the Congress will cause Hong Kong to be dropped like a hot potato. So we must keep up a constant pressure. On the Caribbean it seems to us that every opportunity should be taken to stress the unique circumstances of their dilemma and to make all possible pleas on de minimis trade grounds and the wide political implications to get their case considered as something separate from the neral U.S. policy on reverse preferences.
10.
We have now a little time in hand in which to decide how and where to bring pressure to bear. It would seem particularly worthwhile to try and follow up Stern's idea of seeking a discussion with Secretary Rogers en marge of the 0.E.C.D. meeting. Other moves could then be considered for urgent follow-up when Samuels returns to Washington, including perhaps the idea of a personal message from the Prime Minister to President Nixon which you mentioned when we talked in London last week.
For
Your
ever
lliettoman.
B. W. Meynell
c's:
UKDEL Brussels
KDEL OECD
UKMIS Geneva
Chancery, Kingston
Chancery, Port of Spain Chancery, Castries
Chancery, Bridgetown Chancery, Georgetwon 0.H. Kamis, Esq., DTI
Jiss M. J. Lackey, DTI
1. Nicoll, Esq., DTI
J. F. Slater, Esq., Treasury
Forth America Dept., FCO
F.I.D., F.C.O.
Caribbean Dept., F.C.0.
Director of Commerce and Industry, HONG KONG
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