MPLOY
100%
MI
EMPLOYMENT DEPARTMENT
RECYCLED PAPER
1031/31
Department of Employment
Caxton House
Tothill Street
London SWTH 9NF Telephone 071-273-3000 GTN Code 273 Telex 915564 Fax 071-273 5124
35
Julie Ashdown
Human Rights Policy Department Foreign and Commonwealth Office
RICE
031/3
1995
WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN 1995: HONG KONG
Direct Line 071-273
6249 FAX 4906
un\wcwdep.3
Our reference
Your reference
Date 7 December 1993
Your letter of 2 December asked for views on Hong Kong's wishes to take part in the ESCAP regional preparatory conference.
We should have no objection. We note your point that we would have no influence and that some countries in the region normally oppose progress on women's rights. However, the approach is far from unanimously hostile and it may present opportunities for Hong Kong to make useful contacts within the region. Would it be possible for us to ask them to notify us of resolutions etc. and for us to advise them on lines to take? Indeed, as an associate member, would they be in a position formally to agree or disagree with anything that came up? How would their situation differ from that of Member States, international organisations or NGOs?
A copy of this letter goes to Rosalind Eyben at SDD/ODA, Wendy Wyver at HKD and to Marie Devall here.
yours sincerely,
ELIZABETH BARNARD
SEX EQUALITY BRANCH
(SEB 4)