Reference..
Mr Searle
HKGD
NICK 022
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. $1
2 6 JAN 1931
DESK OFFICER INDEX
PA
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REGISTRY
Action Taken
R+R
See
tome
MAS
22.
10TH UN CARTOGRAPHIC CONFERENCE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC 1983
1. Please refer to Miss Rigby's minute of 13 January asking for my comments on the proposal that this Conference might be held in Hong Kong.
2. One of the basic questions is what are the normal financial arrangements for the conferences in this series? Does the host country undertake to provide and pay for the conference venue and all the attendant expenses such as refreshments, typing services, telephones etc., or does the UN pay for this? I infer from paragraph 3 of Mr Gambold's letter from the ODA that the former is the case. If this is so the Hong Kong Government, not being a member of the UN, could well demur at the host government expenses, 'tourist' revenue notwith- standing, on the grounds that as a non-member country there is little in this exercise for them. On the other hand, the Hong Kong Government may take a different view e.g. because hosting the Conference might serve particular publicity purposes, or if they are currently wishing to promote Hong Kong as conference centre. But the answers to these questions can only be obtained by sounding out the Hong Kong Government.
3. I am sure that if the UN application to hold the Conference in Hong Kong was submitted to HMG, the Hong Kong Government would expect HMG to pick up all the bills and as we only meet the host expenses on overseas conferences where we have a special involvement or responsibility (such as on Rhodesia), this approach would almost definitely run into the sand.
4. I am wondering whether the possible reaction of the People's Republic of China have been considered. Peking having ignored all approaches so far that they might play host, might be particularly sensitive to Hong Kong as an alternative. China's views on the status of Hong Kong might be an obstacle especially with Hong Kong not being a member of the UN. Perhaps FED would care to comment in more detail.
5. If the idea of holding the Conference in Hong Kong is pursued, the Hong Kong Government will definitely wish to have an estimate of the costs likely to fall to them and full details of the facilities and arrangements they will be expected to provide.
21 January 1981
Miss Rigby UND Mr Paul FED
Michael Hearl.
M M Hall
Conference and Visits Section Protocol and Conference Department
BU
witt
10
MAS
ся
noted 30/1181
Pas
CC:
CODE 18-77
(HMSO 12/76)