НИК 384/2
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
13 DEC 1986
DESK OFFICER
PA
REGISTRY
Action Taken
Mek
3/12
Confidential
GRS 300
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 3983
OF 27110OZ NOVEMBER 86
AND TO IMMEDIATE WASHINGTON
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
YOUR TELNO 2073 : UK/USA SUPPLEMENTARY EXTRADITION TREATY
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR AND WASHINGTON'S EFFORTS IN RESOLVING THIS
ISSUE.
WE AGREE TO THE PROPOSAL IN PARA 1 OF YOUR TUR TO SUSPEND APPLICATION OF THE TREATY TO HONG KONG, PENDING FURTHER NOTICE, BY AN EXCHANGE OF NOTES UPON RATIFICATION.
2. WE HAVE CONSIDERED THE PROPOSAL IN PARA 2 OF YOUR TUR TO CONSULT THE CHINESE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE NOW FINALISING OUR OWN THOUGHTS ON SUITABLE EXTRADITION ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONG KONG UP TO AND BEYOND 1997 AND HOPE TO SEEK ADVICE FROM EXCO IN DECEMBER 1986. THEREAFTER, WE SHALL NEED TO PREPARE CAREFULLY FOR WHAT ARE LIKELY TO BE VERY DELICATE NEGOTIATIONS (PROBABLY IN JLG SIX) WITH THE CHINESE.
3. IF WE CONSULT THE CHINESE NOW ON AN INDIVIDUAL TREATY WE MAY PROMPT QUESTIONS ON OUR OVERALL EXTRADITION POLICY, QUESTIONS WHICH WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO ANSWER AT THIS STAGE AND MAY BE DIFFICULT TO DUCK. THE CHINESE HAVE SHOWN INTEREST IN THIS ISSUE.
4. ALSO, AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE, THE CHINESE MAY RESENT BEING CONSULTED ON EXTENSION OF A SUPPLEMENTARY TREATY WHICH WE INTEND TO RETAIN AFTER 1997 WITHOUT FIRST HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE MAIN TREATY. AGAIN, WE ARE INVITING AN INQUISITION.
5. WE WOULD PREFER TO POSTPONE CONSULTATION ON EXTENDING THE SUPPLEMENTARY TREATY UNTIL WE HAVE A CLEAR POLICY ON EXTRADITION AND ARE IN A POSITION TO NEGOTIATE SUBSTANTIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE.
Confidential
16.