CONFIDENTIAL
5.
The Embassy in
in Washington will very shortly be making an
approach to the State Department. They had hoped to make a parallel approach to the Office of the US Trade Representative. However, in the absence of the most senior members of that office abroad they
have suggested that the approach might instead be made by
Mrs Chalker to the Deputy of the Office.
6.
On
The Embassy had already given Smith a preliminary briefing on Hong Kong and the GATT, shortly after the agreement with the Chinese / had been reached. A copy of the reporting telegram is attached.
that occasion Smith suggested that
suggested that the US Government
the US Government might have a
problem over offering any commitment about separate contracting party status for Hong Kong after 1997. Any public statement to this effect would be extremely damaging, and would seriously undermine
confidence in Hong Kong and elsewhere in the arrangements agreed
with the Chinese. Smith is aware of this. However, as we are of
the view that approval of GATT members is not necessary for the step
we are taking, for the moment all that is required is acquiescence. Expressions of support, while welcome, are not necessary and there is nothing we are seeking from the Americans by way of a positive
reaction.
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