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(a)
3.
we think that it would be appropriate for the Commission to make a proposal on these lines to the Community as a whole.
In discussing this matter with Soames I think that it would be useful to remind him of our intention to press during this year's Review for Hong Kong's textile and footwear exports to be included in the GSP in future. But I think that it would be unwise to present this as our main reason for asking for an early Review. The arguments in the preceding paragraph are sound enough in their own right and too much talk of Hong Kong at this stage could well make the Commission, and in turn our Community partners, less willing to go along with the idea. If it is accepted, however, early discussion of Hong Kong's case will be one of our main priorities.
4.
There is of course no guarantee that an early beginning to the Review will lead to early decisions. The discussions could, and probably will, still drag on until December. But I hope you will agree that nonetheless it is worth trying.
Youss ever
Michael
M D Butler
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PS Preston Esq DTI
A Stuart Esq HKIOD
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