September 1992
Rt Hon Christopher Patten
Government House
HONG KONG
I have the honour to refer to the draft Agreement for the purpose of providing the framework for air services between
Hong Kong and Sri Lanka, the text of which was negotiated in
Hong Kong on 1 and 2 November 1989.
The United Kingdom Government remains responsible for the
external relations of Hong Kong until 30 June 1997. However,
the United Kingdom Government hereby entrusts to you authority:
(a) to conclude the said Agreement;
(b) in accordance with prior specific authorisations in that
behalf from the United Kingdom Government, to agree and confirm amendments to the said Agreement;
(c) to carry into effect and to exercise the other powers
conferred upon a Contracting Party by the said Agreement.
Further, with the prior agreement of the United Kingdom Government, you may terminate the said Agreement in accordance
with its terms.
If action is required to be taken relating to the international
conventions referred to in the said Agreement it shall be taken either by the United Kingdom Government or, as appropriate, by
the Hong Kong Government acting under the authority of the
United Kingdom Government.
Following the coming into force of the said Agreement, the United Kingdom Government will register it on behalf of the
Hong Kong Government.
DOUGLAS HURD
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 2386
OF 230952Z SEPTEMBER 92
INFO IMMEDIATE DTP, COLOMBO, PEKING
ка
135
CM
053442
MDHIAN 0258
DTP FOR IAD
HONG KONG/SRI LANKA AIR SERVICES
1 AT DAY ONE OF THE XXIV SINO BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP MEETING HELD ON 21 SEPTEMBER, THE CHINESE SIDE CLEARED THE INITIALLED TEXTS OF THE HONG KONG/SRI LANKA AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT. THE WAY IS NOW OPEN FOR IT TO BE SIGNED. WE SHOULD THEREFORE BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD ARRANGE FOR THE SPECIFIC AUTHORISATION TO BE ISSUED TO THE GOVERNOR.
2. THE JOINT COMMUNIQUE WHICH IS TRADITIONALLY ISSUED AT THE END OF EACH JLG SESSION MAY (MAY) INCLUDE A REFERENCE TO PROGRESS ON THE ASA FRONT. COLOMBO MAY THEREFORE WISH TO ALERT THE APPROPRIATE LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN ADVANCE. WHEN THE JLG SESSION HAS ENDED, AND THE SPECIFIC AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED, WE WILL GET IN TOUCH WITH THE SRI LANKA AUTHORITIES TO MAKE THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR SIGNATURE.
3. BEFORE SIGNATURE OF THE ASA CAN TAKE PLACE, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO INITIATE AN EXCHANGE OF NOTES TO REMOVE HONG KONG FROM THE SCOPE OF THE UK/SRI LANKA ASA. GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD
INSTRUCT ON THIS ACCORDINGLY.
PATTEN
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