CONFIDENTIAL
3. OUR QUOTE INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS UNQUOTE WITH THE COMMISSION IN BRUSSELS OVER THE LAST WEEK HAVE DONE NOTHING TO QUIET OUR CONCERN THAT THE EEC IS MOVING ON A COURSE NOT ONLY HARMFUL TO HONG KONG INTEREST BUT ALSO ONE THAT COULD WELL SET OFF A RAPID DOWNWARD SPIRAL INTO WIDESPREAD (AND EVENTUALLY SELF-DEFEATING) PROTECTIONISM. WE EARNESTLY HOPE, THEREFORE, THAT HMG
EXERCISE ITS INFLUENCE ON THE SHAPING OF THE EEC NEGOTIATING MANDATE
TO ENSURE THAT IT IS NOT CAST IN SUCH A FORM AS TO CAUSE SERIOUS
DAMAGE TO HONG KONG AND PUT AT RISK THE WHOLE BASIS OF THE
INTERNATIONAL TRADING SYSTEM.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
HReGD (5)
EID
TRED
FED
NAD
MR CORTAZZI
MR MURRAY
MR FRETWELL
MR THOMAS
2
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COPIES
то
HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE GRAFTON SYREET
WI
Page 195Page 196
PS 550
PRIORITY
CYPHER CAT A