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voice as that of any other participant. A number of non-independent territories, e.g. the Bahamas, were participants in the CFTC, and no constitutional difficulties had arisen.
4.
H.E. the Governor said he was not sure what advantage Hong Kong could expect to gain from participating in the CFC, bearing in mind that Hong Kong was not considered 'aid-worthy' in ODA terms. Mr. Smith said the CFTC's idea of 'aid worthiness' was quite different from that of the ODA. Given the 'multiplier' effect of its contribution, Hong Kong could well get back twice as much as it had contributed. Although CFTC assistance to Hong Kong would not be automatic, Hong Kong's eligibility for such assistance would be clearly established.
5.
R.3. the Governor said Hong Kong was certainly not insensitive to the need for development and co-operation, as witness its participation in such regional development organisations as the ECAFE and the Asian Development Bank. The F.S. added that Hong Kong was always willing to play its part in multilateral co-operative efforts, provided that this did not:
(a)
(b)
(c)
involve a substantial financial contribution;
create an administrative burden; or
jeopardise Hong Kong's 'developing! status.
Mr. Smith said he appreciated this and, in reply to a question from the F.S., said the procedures for applying for CFTC assistance were much simpler and less bureaucratic than those of UN agencies.
6.
In further discussion, Mr. Smith said he hoped it might be possible to recruit some expertise in Hong Kong for other countries. He mentioned, for example, Australia's requirement for teachers and teacher trainers. X.. the Governor thought this could create difficulties, as Hong Kong itself was badly in need of expertise. Already many of those given specialist training in Hong Kong were being drawn off elsewhere through the open market. Generally speaking, while a cash contribution would not be a great problem in principle, requests to provide experts might present difficulties although he would not, at this stage, rule out such requests altogether. The F.S. thought that the provision of personnel on loan for short-term assignments might be a more realistic aim. The S for SS further suggested that some recruits might be drawn from the fairly sizeable, pool of former Government officials who were interested in obtaining post retirement jobs. Information on such people was, he believed, available
from the 2.0.0.
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