IN CONFIDENCE
Ian Dansen Esq
UN Department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office SWI
Department of
Trade and Industry
Buckingham Palace Road London SW1W 9SS
Enquiries 071-215 5000
Telex 8813148 DIHQ G
Fax 071-215 2909
Direct line 071 215 1793
Our ref
Your ref
Date 22 March 1993
Don Jan,
REQUEST FROM HONG KONG TO ATTEND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF UPU
As I explained over the telephone, we have received a query from Hong Kong about the possibility of their attending the forthcoming meeting of the Executive Council of the UPU which takes place in Berne from 26 April to 4 May.
I have sent the agenda, a copy of which is attached, to the Hong Kong Post Office and told them that I am consulting FCO. It might help you formulate your advice if I explain that the UK is one of the 40 elected members of the Executive Council whose role it is to oversee the work of the UPU between its quinquennial Congresses. Hong Kong, as far as the UPU is concerned, is part of a separate delegation comprising our Dependent Territories (the Ensemble) which at Congresses is headed by the UK.
Under normal circumstances, the Ensemble would not itself be elected to this body and would therefore not expect to attend such meetings. On the other hand, it is up to member countries to include whoever they wish in their delegations and so, presumably, it could be argued that it would be appropriate to invite Hong Kong or any other member of the Ensemble to join us. A further complicating factor is that China is a member of the Executive Council and in the past, has challenged our inclusion of Hong Kong in our delegation, even at Congress.
To date, no response has been received from Hong Kong who by now have had time to study the agenda. If they do decide they would like to come, there is just one meeting which is open to all countries of the UPU. This will discuss the future of the UPU and will take place on 6 and 7 May. There is no reason why Hong Kong should not attend for this and this could be our fall back position.
I recognise that this is a sensitive issue, particularly at the moment so should be most grateful to receive your advice.
Your Sue
مصري
SYBIL J SMITH
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