CONFIDENTIAL
TOP COPY
GRS 130
CONFIDENTIAL
FM CANBERRA
TO ROUTINE FCO
TELNO 244
OF 160515Z APRIL 1986
INFO ROUTINE UKMIS GENEVA
133) (34) (3:
YOUR TELS 169-171: HONG KONG AND GATT
1. I TOOK ACTION TODAY WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AT THE MOST SENIOR AVAILABLE OFFICIAL LEVEL (DANN, IN CHARGE OF ECONOMIC DIVISION). HE DID NOT OFFER ANY SUBSTANTIVE COMMENT BUT SAID THAT HE THOUGHT THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT WOULD BE
SUPPORTIVE.
NSELLOR
2. MY ECONOMIC COUNSELLOR ALSO INFORMED OFFICIALS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE. THEY WERE ALSO SUPPORTIVE, BUT EXPRESSED SOME UNEASE ABOUT THE POSITION OF HONG KONG IN THE GATT AFTER 1997 SHOULD CHINA NOT IN FACT REJOIN IN THE MEANTIME, IN WHICH CASE THE CHINESE MIGHT USE HONG KONG'S SEAT TO SERVE THEIR OWN ENDS. THEY EXPRESSED INTEREST IN BEING KEPT IN THE PICTURE IF ANY CONTRACTING PARTY EXPRESSES OBJECTIONS OR RESERVATIONS
TO WHAT IS PROPOSED.
3. THE CHINESE EMBASSY EXPECT TO MAKE THEIR PARALLEL DEMARCHE
TO THE DFA ON 18 APRIL.
LEAHY
(REPEATED AS REQUESTED)
HONG KONG AGREEMENT
LIMITED
HD/HKD
COPIES TO:- MR ROBERTS
MR FIFOOT
HD/FED
HD/PLANNING STAFF
DEP HD/PUSD
HD/PUSD
RD (MR WALKER)
MR WOOD
MR PEIRCE
NEWS DEPT
LEGAL ADVISERS
LEGAL ADVISERS
ASSESSMENTS STAFF CABINET OFFIC
MR MALLABY CABINET OFFICE
MR DRC CHRISTOPHER CABINET OFFICE SIR P CRADOCK NO 10 DOWNING STREET
PS
PS/LADY YOUNG
PS/MR RENTON
PS/PUS
SIR W HARDING
SIR J FREELAND
MR WILSON
MR CROWLEY
MOLECO(E)
HKK192/1
PUSD
MOTIVED IN PEGISTRY 1.8 APR 1986
CONFIDENTIAL
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