No. CONFIDENTIAL
fou. BASEL CONVENIEN
Do we have this tel Cobtained from
EJED) or files?
сие а
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE F CO
TELNO 2865
OF 270231Z SEPTEMBER 90
for 2017:
1940
pw
2319
060061
MDHIAN 1356
TOP COPY Q DIST?
1991 file. Ru 1117.
ALEXANDER'S LETTER OF 16.8.90 TO THE GOVERNOR:
BASEL CONVENTION
ON THE CONTROL OF TRANSBOUNDARY MOVEMENTS OF HAZARDOUS WASTES AND
THEIR DISPOSAL
IN PRINCIPAL WE WOULD WISH THE U.K. TO RATIFY THE BASEL CONVENTION ON OUR BEHALF. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CONVENTION ARE VERY MUCH IN LINE WITH OUR THINKING. IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT'S WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION PUBLISHED IN 1989, WE MADE CLEAR OUR INTENTION TO TIGHTEN UP LEGISLATION DEALING WITH HAZARDOUS WASTES. WE ARE NOW PREPARING AMENDMENTS TO THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE TO EFFECT A ''CRADLE-TO-GRAVE CONTROL OVER
THE MOVEMENT AND DISPOSAL OF THESE WASTES, INCLUDING THEIR IMPORT AND EXPORT. THE APPLICATION OF THE BASEL CONVENTION TO HONG KONG WOULD HELP US TO EFFECT THESE CONTROL, WHILE THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WOULD PROVIDE A GOOD BASIS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE
CONVENTION THROUGH HONG KONG LAW.
WE ALSO SEE ADVANTAGES IN HONG KONG SHARING IN THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION ON THE ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE MANAGEMENT OF WASTE AND ON SPECIFIC TRANSBOUNDARY MOVEMENTS OF WASTE WHICH THE
CONVENTION REQUIRES.
PARAGRAPH 2 OF YOUR LUR INDICATES THAT THERE WOULD BE NO IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS INVOLVED. WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL TO LEARN, HOWEVER, WHAT KIND OF FUTURE FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS, IF ANY, YOU WOULD ENVISAGE, WERE HONG KONG TO BECOME A PARTY TO THE CONVENTION.
WE WOULD NEED TO CONSULT THE CHINESE UNDER THE AGREED CONSULTATION GUIDELINES AS WE WOULD INTEND THAT THE CONVENTION WOULD CONTINUE TO APPLY TO HONG KONG AFTER 1997. UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES 40 DAYS SHOULD BE ADEQUATE FOR THIS PROCESS TO BE COMPLETED. WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL THEREFORE, IF YOU WOULD BEAR THIS IN MIND AND AND ENSURE THAT WE RECEIVE SUFFICIENT ADVANCE WARNING PRIOR TO UK'S RATIFICATION OF THE CONVENTION.
WILSON
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