David Hollamby
BNSC
Separate copies
SEND
FCO
King Charles Street
London SW1
HKC0315
21 December 1989
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
- 4 JAN 1990
All out.
DESK OFFICER
REGISTRY
INDEX
PA
Action Taken
Pu
'3/1
Mr. Cannon
HKD
83
The Macharen
.COMED
Grateful for comment on para. 3 pl. D. J. Hallan I
SEND)
JEC ABA
Cear David
We understand that the US State Department are likely to grant export licences which will permit ASIASAT and AUSSAT to be launched on Chinese-built launchers.
We are concerned that the Cable & Wireless/Hong Kong Post Office involvement in ASIASAT could mean that the UK could be liable under the 1972 Liability Convention for any damage. caused by the satellite.
When I spoke to Jonathan Dart some months ago about the extension of the Outer Space Act 1986 to the Dependent Territories he said that discussions on Hong Kong were being pursued separately as any new legislation had to be discussed with China. I would be grateful if you could update us on the current position. It would also be helpful if you could let us know the extent of FCO involvement with ASIASAT and whether the issue of covering the UK's international obligations under the space Conventions has been raised.
We would also be grateful for any further information on the extension of the Outer Space Act to Ascension Island.
Yours sincerely
Yatrice Judd
PATRICIA JUDD
cc John Milne
file 258/08
BRITISH NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE
Millbank Tower Millbank London SW1P 4QU
Telex 2811074 - Ansaback DTHQG Fax 01-8215387
Telephone Direct Dialling) 01-21 1
(Switchboard) 01-211 3000
22/12