GRS 260 CONFIDENTIAL
FM UKMIS GENEVA
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 217
OF 301541Z APRIL 1986
Confidolfial
INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG, PEKING, BRASILIA, NEW DELHI
(312)
See 3313
TOP COPY
HOMG KONG TELNO 1239: HONG KONG AND GATT.
1.
FOLLOWING CARTLAND'S PRESENTATION OF HIS CREDENTIALS AS PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GATT TO ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL MATHUR ON 28 APRIL, HONG KONG REPRESENTATIVES HAVE TAKEN THEIR SEATS BEHIND THEIR OWN NAME-PLATE IN THE TARIFFS AND CUSTOMS VALUATION COMMITTEES. THERE WERE NO PUBLIC REFERENCES TO THE CHANGE OF SEATING
ARRANGEMENTS.
2. HOWEVER, PATRIOTA (SECOND SECRETARY, BRAZIL) TOLD WOO (HONG KONG OFFICE) PRIVATELY AT THE CUSTOMS VALUATION COMMITTEE THAT IF ANY MENTION WERE MADE OF HONG KONG'S NEW STATUS, INCLUDING EVEN A WELCOME FROM THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, HE WAS UNDER INSTRUCTIONS TO SPEAK UP. PATRIOTA SAID BRAZIL WAS UNHAPPY THAT THE GATT SECRETARIAT
HAD ISSUED THE NOTIFICATION TO CONTRACTING PARTIES (L5986) WITHOUT PRIOR CONSULTATION, AND INDICATED THAT BRAZIL WAS LIKELY TO RAISE
THE MATTER AT THE 22 MAY COUNCIL.
3. WE HAVE ALSO HEARD THAT AMBASSADOR SHUKLA OF INDIA (WHO WAS
ABSENT DURING OUR LOBBYING EXERCISE) IS VOICING SIMILAR OBJECTIONS,
THAT THE YUGOSLAVS HAVE RECEIVED SOME ENQUIRIES FROM BELGRADE AND
THAT THE ARGENTINIANS HAVE BEEN QUESTIONING LINDEN (GATT SECRETARIAT). ALL THIS MAY SUGGEST SOME CONCENTRATION AMONG THE GANG OF FIVE (BRAZIL, INDIA, ARGENTINA, YUGOSLAVIA AND EGYPT), WHO POSSIBLY SEE THIS AS A WAY OF UNSETTLING DUNKEL IN THE RUN-UP TO THE
GATT MINISTERIAL.
4. 1. AM CALLING ON DUNKEL TOMOPROW MORNING TO STIFFEN HIS RESOLVE, AND WILL ALSO TRY TO SPEAK TO AMBASSADORS SHUKLA AND VIDAS (YUGOSLAVIA). IT WILL BE HELPFUL IF BRASILIA AND NEW DELHI CAN BE
GIVEN BROUGHT TO ISSUE UNAMBIGUOUS INSTRUCTIONS WELL BEFORE 22 MAY, THE PROPENSITY OF BOTH AMBASSADORS BATISTA AND SHUKLA TO ACT ON
THEIR OWN INITIATIVE IN GATT.
SANKEY
HONG KONG AGREEMENT : RESTRICTED
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
RESEARCH D (FE)
DEP/HD PUSD PS/MR RENTON MR WILSON
COPIES TO:
MR FIFOOT, LEGAL (ADVISERS
MR WOOD LEGAL ADVISERS HKK 122/!
Confidential
STRY
12 MAY 1986
AJB12/5