TNAG-0138-FCO40-174-Conduct-of-Hong-Kong-commercial-relations-1969 — Page 14

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

However it has so happened that the

Governor himself suggested an amendment to

paragraph 4 which is in effect an

acknowledgment that in relation to paragraph 4

special arrangements for the conduct of

relations may be required where Hong Kong is

formally represented by HMG, e.g. in certain

international organisations. The Governor

asked for this amendment because he felt

continuing concern about the lack of precise ·

definition in the meaning of the words

'as appropriate" in paragraph 4.

In our

recollection of the earlier discussions with

Jordan in September, these words were

inserted to indicate that there would be

situations where Hong Kong could not

"exercise responsibility" or speak for itself

and in its own name, e.g. in certain

international organisations. We saw

advantage in the more precise meaning intro-

duced by the proposed amendments,

particularly since it carries the implication

that other arrangements may need to be agreed

in these "special circumstances"

K

so leaving

the field clear to consider separately the

points raised by Melville.

However, acceptance of this Hong Kong

amendment will not resolve Melville's points;

it leaves in the air what these "other

arrangements" are to be. Its effect is to

qualify only the application of paragraph 4;

by implication the rest of the statement will

apply to international organisations and it is

clear from Melville's comments and proposals

that he is, for example, unhappy about the / reference