TNAG-0135-FCO40-171-Tariff-preferences-for-developing-countries-1969 — Page 124

CYPHER/CAT'A'

CONFIDENTIAL

IMMEDIATE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

TEL NO. 370

вкремим же

TO WELLINGTON

24 SEPTEMBER, 1959

(TPD)

10

CONFIDENTIAL.

NEUTRAL

ADDRESSED TO WELLINGTON TEL NO. 370 OF 24 SEPTEMBER REPEATED FOR

INFORMATION TO CANBERRA,

FOR FRANKLIN FROM DIXON.

UNCTAD PREFERENCES SCHEME.

1. WE HAVE NOW HAD DISCUSSION ON .REVISED OFFER WITH DONOVAN AND

FARNON.

2. DISCUSSION WITH AUSTRALIANS WAS RELAXED BUT DONOVAN PRESSED HARD

FOR FUTHER WITHDRAWALS TO PROTECT AUSTRALIAN INTERESTS 'BEFORE'

REVISED LIST IS TABLED IN OECD OTHERWISE CONSULTATION WOULD NOT

BE MEANINGFUL''. WE HAVE RESISTED THIS DEMAND STRESSING PROVISIONAL

NATURE OF THE REVISED OFFER AND NEED TO AVOID PRECIPITATING FURTHER

WITHDRAWALS IN OECD BY OTHER DONORS. AUSTRALIANS APPEAR TO BE ANXIOUS

NOT TO BE IDENTIFIED INDIVIDUALLY IN OECD AS A CAUSE OF UK WITHDRAWAS

AND WE HAVE ASSURED THEM UK INTENDS MERELY TO REITERATE THAT RELEASE

FROM CONTRACTUAL COMMITMENTS PRECONDITION FOR INCLUSION OF CERTAIN ITEMS IN FINAL LIST. DONOVAN HAS FLOATED, BUT ALLEGES NOT PUT TO CANBERRA, IDEA OF UK REACHING FINAL' AGREEMENT WITH AUSTRALIA 'BEFORE' TABLING OF REVISED LIST IN OECD ON QUESTION OF WHICH

CONTRACTUAL ITEMS SHOULD BE INCLUDED. WE HAVE SAID THIS WOULD BE A STARTER ONLY IF REALLY FINAL AND IF FURTHER AUSTRALIAN DEMANDS MODEST AND CONFINED TO M.F.N. L.D.CS.: HAVE POINTED OUT ALSO THAT ANY SUCH DEAL ONLY WORKABLE IF COVERED NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTH AFRICA ALSO IN VIEW OF OVERLAP OF COMMODITY INTERESTS. DONOVAN SUBSEQUENTLY CAME BACK WITH INFORMAL PROPOSALS FOR FINAL EXCLUSIONS WHICH ARE EXCESSIVE AND WHICH I HAVE INDICATED FIRMLY COULD NOT POSSIBLY FORM BASIS OF DEAL. INITIATIVE NOW RESTS WITH DONOVAN BUT INTER DEPARTMENTAL CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO SCOPE OF ACCEPTABLE

/PACKAGE

1

SVED IN REGISTRY NO.51

какк

110KK 6/12 112

CONFIDENTIAL