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107623 MDADAN 9268
ISSUE OF THE FORMAL INVITATION LETTERS.
5. ON THE THREE OUTSTANDING ISSUES IN PARA. 3 OF TUR
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(A) DATE OF MEETINGS IN OUR DISCUSSION WITH FRIIS, WE FOUND THAT IN ORDER TO MEET BANK/FUND'S SOUND PROOFING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 800 PLUS INDIVIDUAL OFFICES, WE WOULD NEED AT LEAST FIVE WEEKS TO CONSTRUCT THE OFFICES IN THE EXISTING HK CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE (FRIIS THOUGHT AT LEAST TWO MONTHS WOULD BE REQUIRED). WE HAVE THEREFORE EXPRESSED A PREFERENCE FOR THE ANNUAL MEETINGS TO BE ADVANCED TO 9-11 SEPTEMBER 1997 BECAUSE IT WOULD PERMIT THE CONSTRUCTION OF OFFICES TO BE DONE IN THE RELATIVELY SLACKER MONTHS OF JULY AND AUGUST AND IT WOULD ALSO MAKE IT EASIER TO NEGOTIATE WITH HOTELS FOR A HIGHER PROPORTION OF THEIR ROOMS TO BE BLOCKED FOR THE MEETINGS (EARLY SEPTEMBER BEING SLACKER THAN LATE SEPTEMBER FOR HOTELS). THAT SAID, THE ORIGINAL DATES OF 23-25 SEPTEMBER ARE ACCEPTABLE AND THIS IS NOT A STICKING POINT FOR US.
(B) FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT FOR THE MEETINGS WE AGREE WITH UKDEL IMF/IBRD THAT OUR RESPONSE SHOULD BE TO REMIND THE BANK/FUND OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION OF HONG KONG'S FINANCIAL AUTONOMY (JD79 AND 80). WE DO NOT THINK WE SHOULD LET THEM HAVE AN OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE FINANCIAL AUTHORITY AND AGREED BY FINANCE COMMITTEE THEY SHOULD BE CONTENT WITH AN APPROPRIATELY WORDED ASSURANCE FROM HKG OF OUR FINANCIAL COMMITMENT.
(C) ISSUANCE OF VISAS DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS FOR ISSUANCE OF VISAS AFTER 1997 HAVE YET TO BE DISCUSSED WITH THE CHINESE AND IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE AT THIS STAGE THE CLARIFICATION SOUGHT. FOR THE BANK/FUND, THE ASSURANCE THEY SOUGHT FOR INCLUSION IN THE INVITATION LETTER FROM CHINA SHOULD PROVIDE THE COMFORT THEY NEED.
6.
IF THE SECRETARIES COULD VISIT HK ON 3-5 AUGUST, WE WOULD ARRANGE FOR THEM TO MEET THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY. IF IT IS CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE, WE WOULD CHECK WITH THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE WHETHER ACTING GOVERNOR WOULD BE AVAILABLE.
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