CODE 18-77

SS 8/78

Mr Morrice

RESTRICTED

Reference

HKG. 380/2 (35)

2 0 NOV 1930

No. GRY

а

UNGA 35: THIRD COMMITTEE: FRG INITIATIVE ON ABOLITION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

1. Please see Mr Hendry's letter of 12 November. UN Department asked for our comments on Hong Kong and other dependent territories.

2. I discussed with Mr Chatterjie on Friday afternoon. He said that difficulties vis à vis the dependent territories were very well understood; paragraph 5 of Mr Hendry's letter points this out. The instructions which eventually issued to UKMIS were that, if the other members of the Nine supported the FRG Motion for the introduction of the Draft Resolution, the UK in the interests of unity would go along. It is unlikely that all the members of the Nine will agree to this since France herself retains capital punishment. UKMIS would be instructed, in the event of a split among the Nine, to refer back for instructions. The preferred UK position would be abstention on a Vote. However, if the Motion, having been passed, then came to be finalised as a Protocol, the UK would not accept for the reasons given in paragraph 5.

18 November 1980

B ButtRook.

B Brett Rooks (Miss)

Hong Kong and General Department

ins mente 224/4 Maxil

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Hendry.

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&

19/11

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