HKV. 384/2
RECEIVE
- 8 DEC 1986
DESK OFFICER INDEX
REGISTRY
PA
Action Taken
OCMIAN 3789
CONFIDENTIAL
00 ΡΕΚΙΝ
FM FCOLN TO HOKON
051745Z DEC
GRS 620
тел
16/12
-CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 2805
OF 051745Z DECEMBER 86
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, WASHINGTON
TOP COPY Q DIST?
OUR TELNO 2756 AND YOUR TELNO 4012: UK/USA SUPPLEMENTARY
EXTRADITION TREATY
3789
1
1.
WE HAVE CONSIDERED THIS IN CONJUNCTION WITH LEGAL
ADVISERS AND (BY PHONE) WASHINGTON. WASHINGTON'S PROVISIONAL
ASSESSMENT IS THAT THE AMERICANS WILL PROBABLY BE RELUCTANTLY
PREPARED TO ACCEPT THAT SUSPENSION OF THE NEW TREATY IN RESPECT
OF HONG KONG SHOULD LAST FOR A FEW MONTHS. BUT IT WILL BE
NECESSARY DURING THAT TIME TO EXPLAIN TO THE AMERICANS THE
REASONS FOR THIS AND TO KEEP THEM INFORMED OF HOW MATTERS ARE
PROGRESSING (WITHOUT, OBVIOUSLY, GIVING THEM DETAILS OF ANY
CONFIDENTIAL EXCHANGES WITH THE CHINESE ON EXTRADITION).
2.
WE CONTINUE TO DOUBT THAT CONSULTING THE CHINESE NOW ON
THE NEW TREATY WOULD PREJUDICE THE OUTCOME OF OUR LATER MORE
GENERAL DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM ON EXTRADITION. INDEED, GIVEN THAT
THE TREATY IN QUESTION IS AN EXCEPTIONAL ONE, WE BELIEVE IT COULD
EVEN CONFUSE MATTERS MORE IF WE DELAY CONSULTING THE CHINESE
UNTIL WE TALK ABOUT WIDER EXTRADITION ISSUES. BUT IN VIEW OF
YOUR WISHES AND WASHINGTON'S PROVISIONAL, ASSESSMENT ABOVE WE ARE
PREPARED TO PUT YOUR SUGGESTED PROCEDURE TO THE AMERICANS ON THE
UNDERSTANDING THAT WE SHALL FINALISE OUR PROPOSALS ON EXTRADITION
1
CONFIDENTIAL
45