RESTRICTED
PRESS THESE ARGUMENTS AND WAS CLEARLY IMPRESSED BY THE COUNTER-
ARGUMENTS DEPLOYED BY DODGE WHO ALSO EXPLAINED IN ANSWER TO HIS QUESTIONS THE REASONS FOR THE TIMING AND EMPHASIS OF THE DEMARCHE.
4. ON FOOTWEAR, PUTMAN SAID THAT HE WOULD TRY TO GET CELGIAN SUPPORT FOR THE COMMISSION'S PROPOSALS, THE NOTE FROM WHICH HE WAS SPEAKING HAD SOME OBSCURITIES AND HIS EXPERT ADVISER ON THE SUBJECT WAS NOT AVAILABLE. BUT HE DID HOT THINK THAT THE BELGIANS HAD ANY PROBLEMS
IN THIS SECTOR.
5. HE SHOWED UNDERSTANDING FOR THE ARGUMENTS DEPLOYED BY THE HONG KONG OFFICIALS ABOUT THE ESPECIALLY DAMAGING POTENTIAL EFFECTS OM HONG KONG OF THE PROPOSALS FOR A TRANSFER OF ITEMS TO THE SEMI- SENSITIVE LIST AND ASSOCIATED BUTOIR ARRANCEMENTS, THE BELGIANS HAD PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS OF THEIR OWN TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM, DETAILS OF WHICH HE UNDERTOCK TO ASCERTAIN AND SUPPLY TO DODGE.
6. ON ITEN 2(D), HE COMMENTED WITH A SMILE THAT THIS MIGHT BE A CONVENIENT NEGOTIATING POINT FOR HONG KONG TO CONCEDE AT A
LATER STAGE,
7. THE HONG KONG GOVETRNMENT OFFICIALS FELT THAT AMBASSADOR PUTMAN'S RECEPTION WAS PARTICULARLY UNDERSTANDING, HE MADE IT CLEAR, HOWEVER, BHAT THE DEMARCHE WOULD HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED BY OTHER DEPARTMENTS OF THE GIMISTRY. THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE EVENTUAL MORE CONSIDERKO BELGIAN RESPONSE HAY BE A SHADE LESS SYMPATHETIC CANNOT BE EXCLUDED.
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