CONFIDENTIAL
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
12.
Nonetheless, we have to consider our own relations
with Hong Kong for reasons given above. Action we might take
could involve speaking up on behalf of Hong Kong in the Community;
and allowing Sir Murray MacLehose to return to London and to be
seen to be putting his case to British Ministers. As far as
speaking in the Community is concerned our room for manoeuvre
is limited. No other Member State has much sympathy for Hong
Kong and all believe, as is indeed the case, that Hong Kong has
done very well out of its textile exports to the Community
since the present MFA bilateral was concluded. There is little
mileage to be obtained in the Community in pressing for special
treatment for Hong Kong. The point, however, should be made
to the Commission that to take too tough a line with Hong Kong
runs the risk of a refusal on Hong Kong's part to conclude a new
bilateral agreement with the Community. This in turn risks
bringing down the whole Community approach since Hong Kong is the
Community's largest single supplier. I would recommend that
Sir D Maitland be instructed to have a word on these lines
with Commissioner Davignon.
13.
As far as presentation in Hong Kong is concerned the
Governor has asked that if the "extremist view" is likely to
prevail he should be recalled to explain Hong Kong's case. If
there is no alternative to obliging the Hong Kong Government to
swallow what it believes is bitter medicine, then there is much
to be said for letting Sir M MacLehose be seen to have stated
/Hong Kong's
CONFIDENTIAL