N
Sile
RESTRICTED
HKC191/1
RESTRICTED
060432 MDLIAN 8505
(CORRECTED VERSION 9/4)
TOP COPY
EST ?
FM HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 0906OOZ MANILA
TELNO 0012
OF 09050OZ APRIL 88
INFO PRIORITY FCO
CABLE AND WIRELESS (HONG KONG) AND PHILIPPINE LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE COMPANY.
1. CABLE AND WIRELESS HONG KONG HAVE JUST APPROACHED US (9 APRIL)
TO INFORM US THAT THE PHILIPPINE LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE COMPANY INTEND TO PUT INTO EFFECT AT MIDNIGHT ON 10/11 APRIL RESTRICTIONS ON CIRCUITS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE PHILIPPINES, WHICH WILL SHARPLY REDUCE AVAILABILITY OF TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS.
2.
CABLE AND WIRELESS HAVE BEEN IN CORRESPONDENCE WITH PLDTC FOR SOME TIME ON POSSIBLE NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR CIRCUITS AND HAVE AGREED TO MEET ON 11 MAY TO, DISCUSS THESE. LETTER DATED 8 APRIL FROM PLDTC UNILATERALLY, WHICH ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO PUT RESTRICTED ARRANGE- MENTS INTO EFFECT AT VERY SHORT NOTICE, CUTS ACROSS INTENDED NEGOTIATIONS AND IN CABLE AND WIRELESS VIEW WILL LEAD TO GREAT INCONVENIENCE TO HONG KONG PUBLIC, INCLUDING PHILIPPINE RESIDENTS
HERE.
1
3. CABLE AND WIRELESS HAVE ASKED THEIR REPRESENTATIVE IN MANILA, COLIN BROOKER, TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU. THEY SUSPECT THAT PLDTC MAY NOT HAVE CONSULTED PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT BEFORE TAKING THIS ACTION.
GRATEFUL FOR ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO GET THE RESTRICTIVE MOVES
REVERSED AND STATUS QUO CONTINUED UNTIL PARTIES CAN MEET. IT IS CLEARLY NOT IN PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT'S INTEREST TO BE RESPONSIBLE
FOR RESTRICTED COMMUNICATIONS AND COMPLAINTS TURN PUBLIC OR FOR
A DISPUTE TO EMERGE SHORTLY BEFORE PRESIDENT AQUINO'S VISIT.
WILSON
YYYY
1
PAGE
RESTRICTED