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At this initial stage it seems to me that you are looking for a generalist, preferably with a knowledge of aviation, who is capable of dealing at both top-level and more mundane levels. It is essential that he/she have the ability to inspire credibility with senior people in both Government and industry, particularly if it is someone not already known in aviation circles.
Whoever you send will have to be very much of a self-starter and comfortable in what will almost amount to a "roving Ambassador" rôle. Mere attendance at meetings and sitting with the UK Delegation will not achieve what we are seeking. At the same time, considerable discretion will have to be exercised to avoid clashes with the Chinese office (and, from the beginning of 1993, my successor). A lot of imagination and sensitivity will be required if you are to get value for money.
I think that at this stage this 'as far as I can go. I hope that this will suffice as a starting point. If you would care to let me have your own thoughts I would be happy to comment upon them. Are you, for example thinking of the officer having some responsibilities for trade promotion work in Québec? In that case a knowledge of French would, of course, be indispensable.
At
earlier stage and when I was in Hong Kong we discussed possible Chinese sensitivities in this
in this area indeed, that has largely conditioned the type of representation proposed. However, because of these sensitivities I am taking the liberty of copying this letter to Charles Garrett in UKREP/JLG for any thoughts he might have on the subject.
Your ever.
Fred
F.A. Neal
CC:
D.C. Moss Esq. D/Transport
Mr. C E Garrett
Office of the British Senior Representative Sino-British Joint Liaison Group
P.O. Box 3F/4F
Hong Kong
DUTIES OF UKREP/ICAO OFFICERS
GENERAL
To safeguard and promote UK interests by trying to ensure that action taken in and by ICAO is cost-effective and conducive to the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation.
DETAILED
The Representative participates in discussions in the Council and its subordinate bodies e.g.
Air Transport Committee Finance Committee
Unlawful Interference Committee
Technical Cooperation Committee Joint Support Committee Personnel Committee
Working Group on Strategic Objectives etc. etc.
The Air Navigation Commissioner sits on the ANC and takes part in various ad hoc Technical Working Groups e.g.
Procedural Matters Regional Plans Panels
etc. etc.
A major part of the day-to-day effort of both officers is devoted to lobbying and preparatory meetings and discussions to try to ensure a satisfactory outcome prior to the formal meetings listed above. Detailed weekly reports are prepared by both officers on developments in their respective spheres. In addition the Representative prepares a limited edition
report for senior management at the end of each Session.
Both representatives play active roles in the various and frequent meetings which are held in Montreal. These vary from year to year. In 1991 the major meetings were the Diplomatic Conference held in February; the Air Navigation Conference in September; the Conference on Airport and Route Facility Management in October. In addition there were, of course, numerous Panel and Expert