UNCLASSIFIED
FM HONG KONG
TO ROUTINE FCO
UNCLASSIFIED
HKC 181/21
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
22 APR 1993
TELNO 619
DESK OFFICER
REGISTRY
OF 210745Z APRIL 93
INDEX
PA Action Take
INFO ROUTINE DTP, WASHINGTON
DTP FOR IAD
HONG KONG/U S AIR SERVICES: ASA SEPARATION.
•
Mat
Thanks.
Manj 22/4
M AMD, in D27
173201
MDLIAN 8091
sajuit with
C
wen at the relying, as do>
Mr Bruten,
Will AMD need
to ask W/ton to reply? (I see I have sent them "info" to w/ron rather than "and to"
for action).
1 WE HAVE SEEN PRESS REPORTS OF A RECENT MEETING IN LONDON BETWEEN MR MACGREGOR AND THE US TRANSPORT SECRETARY. ALTHOUGH THE QUESTIONS OF TRANSATLANTIC LIBERALISATION AND INWARD INVESTMENT WILL OBVIOUSLY HAVE DOMINATED THE AGENDA, GRATEFUL TO KNOW WHETHER ANY MENTION WAS MADE AT THE MEETING OF THE NEED TO MAKE PROGRESS ON ASA SEPARATION.
2. AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE KEEN TO COMPLETE THIS EXERCISE FAIRLY SOON BUT NOT AT ANY PRICE AND CERTAINLY NOT AT THE ONE DEMANDED BY US FOR A THREE-FOLD INCREASE IN THE SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF FIFTH FREEDOM RIGHTS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO THEM UNDER BERMUDA 2 WITHOUT COUNTERVAILING BENEFITS FOR HONG KONG CARRIES. A SEA- CHANGE IN THE US ADMINISTRATION APPROACH TO ASA SEPARATION WILL THEREFORE BE NECESSARY BEFORE IT IS WORTH OUR WHILE TO COME BACK TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. WE SAID AS MUCH TO THEM AT THE LAST
ROUND OVER A YEAR AGO.
3.
GRATEFUL THEREFORE FOR WASHINGTON'S ADVICE ON WHETHER ALL THE KEY PLAYERS HAVE NOW BEEN APPOINTED TO THE DOT UNDER THE NEW ADMINISTRATION, AND, IF SO, WHETHER THE TIME MAY BE RIGHT FOR US TO SUGGEST A RESUMPTION OF TALKS.
PATTEN
Jaila
YYYY
1
PAGE UNCLASSIFIED