CONFIDENTIAL
Foreign and Commonwealth Office London SW1
W K Prendergast Esq
British Embassy THE HAGUE
LAST
Telephone 01-
p.a
Your reference
Our reference
23
HKCK 61598/1
Date
19 July 1974
Deai Piandogert,
HONG KONG AND GSP
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125
Thank you for your letter (6/14) of 16 July reporting the difficulties you have had in making arrangements for Dodge to call on Dutch officials to discuss the GSP discrimination against Hong Kong footwear and textiles.
2. Whilst some of the difficulties appear to have been genuine the attitude adopted by the development cooperation side of the Foreign Ministry has been disappointing and, indeed, discourteous. As you say, they should at least be prepared to listen to the arguments.
3. I am glad that you feel it possible to raise the matter at a higher level. I am sure it is right to continue to press for an interview. You might like to point out that other Member States have been prepared to see Dodge and we hope very much that the Dutch will agree to see him too.
Yours ever,
Reori srailwa
RQ Braithwaite European Integration Department (External)
cc
P Dodge Esq
British Embassy Brussels
A Stuart Esq HKIOD, FCO
CONFIDENTIAL