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communication channels and the scope of the technical information to be exchanged. We said that at the time the signed consensus papers on these subjects were discussed, there was a clear understanding that the arrangements were related to off-site emergencies only, and that the arrangements for on-site matters were to be discussed separately. At no point had we accepted that
on-site incidents could be categorised as ''normal times''. Moreover, the agenda agreed at the delegation level meeting on the continuation of the expert talks also covered the questions of communication channels and the scope of information exchange during on-site emergencies and normal times. These consensus papers therefore did not preclude us from agreeing on specific
arrangements to cover on-site emergency situations. This would be in addition to, and should not necessitate any amendments to, the signed MOU.
We also raised again the question of the implementation of the off-site arrangements already agreed. The Guangdong side maintained that they must await the conclusion of the discussion on on-site arrangements and the authorisation by the central authorities of the overall agreement reached before they could commence discussion with us on implementation matters. They also made a veiled threat that if we insisted on pushing ahead with the implementation of off-site arrangements first, this could be done, but only at the expense of holding back the discussion on on-site matters.
8.
Towards the end of the meeting, it was clear that there remained a wide gap between the two sides. The two sides agreed to further review their respective positions and to consider new proposals. While agreeing to a further meeting, the Guangdong side refused to commit themselves to a firm date. They argued that it would be more useful to set up a meeting after the two sides had come up with new concrete proposals which might help to resolve the differences. They, however, finally agreed in principle that the next meeting should be held the latest by January 1994.
Comment
9. In the margins of the meeting, the expert group team Leader indicated that the Guangdong side had no room for manoeuvring, as they had to follow the instructions of the central authorities. this is indeed true, we will have a hard battle to fight.
10.
To break the present deadlock, we think it is time for the
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