RESTRICTED
157027
MDLIAN 7840
IN FORCE AFTER 1997 AND WHICH HONG KONG AIMS TO CONCLUDE WITH ITS AVIATION PARTNERS IN THE COMING YEARS. THE HONG KONG/BRUNEI
ASA, AND THE ASA PROGRAMME IN GENERAL, HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE CHINESE.
(B) IT IS THE FIRST ASA WHICH HONG KONG HAS SIGNED WITH A
PARTNER IN THE REGION. THIS PROVIDES TANGIBLE REASSURANCE TO THOSE COUNTRIES IN THE REGION WHO HAVE SHOWN SENSITIVITY ABOUT A POSSIBLE NEGATIVE REACTION FROM THE PRC TO THEIR NEGOTIATION OF AN ASA WITH HONG KONG.
(C) IT IS ALSO THE FIRST ASA WHICH HONG KONG HAS CONCLUDED AB INITIO, I.E. IT REPLACES INTERGOVERNMENTAL UNDERSTANDINGS RATHER THAN THE PROVISIONS OF A UK ASA IN RESPECT OF HONG KONG. THIS SETS A USEFUL PRECEDENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT BEFORE AND AFTER 1997 OF HONG KONG'S AIR SERVICES RELATIONS WITH OTHER COUNTIRES WHICH DO NOT
YET HAVE AN ASA DEALING WITH HONG KONG.
WILSON
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
AIR SERVICES
LIMITED
66
MAED
LEGAL ADVISERS
PUSD
FED
SEAD
ADDITIONAL
7
IAD/DEPT TRANSPORT
NNNN
DISTRIBUTION
73
HKD
PS/LORD GLENARTHUR
MR BAYNE
MR SLATER
MR GILLMORE
MR MCLAREN