ль
CONFIDENTIAL
Reference
M
السمن
IAB 29.5
A mise point, wit
48
Mr Morrice
HK & GD
For lite to matter
SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN: DEPENDENT TERRITORIES
1
2.
Your minute to Mr Williams of 27 May. I do not think it is for WIAD to comment on whether British policy on the extension to the Dependent Territories of the Iranian sanc- tions exercise should be co-ordinated with that which our EC partners apply to their own dependencies. But if that decision is made, i.e on Community solidarity grounds, we do not, I suggest have to justify it in terms of our relations with the Dependent Territories. If, nevertheless, the argu- ments in the draft submission are to be used, I agree generally with the line in para 4, particularly the last sentence.
2 I am not sure, however, that the detailed arguments in paras 5,6 and 7, relating to Hong Kong, lead as far as the other dependencies are concerned, to the conclusion in para 8 that "the balance of the argument is therefore against requir- ing Hong Kong and the other dependencies to take action against Iran." Some of the arguments may apply to other Dependent Territories. Bermuda, for example, conducts a measurable trade with Iran and ships of the Bermuda Register may carry goods indirectly to or from Iran. But many of the arguments deployed for Hong Kong are unique to that territory. I would prefer, therefore, to see para 8 introduced by something along the following lines :-
HKG.122
"Some of the foregoing arguments about Hong Kong apply, in varying degrees, to the other Dependent Territories. In any case policy, in these circumstances, is not divi- sible. On balance, therefore, it would not be appropriate to require Hong Kong and the other dependencies to take action against Iran."
2/324/1
SQ MAY 1980
51
LDU 12.6
28 May 1980
сс
Mr Donald
Neu
J B Noss
West Indian and Atlantic Department G125/3 233 4196
Mr Stratton
Mr Rushford, Legal Advisers
Mrs Denza, Legal Advisers
MED
SPD
CODE 18-77
SS 8/78
SAMD
M & CD WED
CONFIDENTIAL