TNAG-0138-FCO40-174-Conduct-of-Hong-Kong-commercial-relations-1969 — Page 16

O

NOTHING TO BE Written IN THIS MARGIN

relations.

While over-detailed formalisa-

tion of the arrangements should be avoided

in this case, there is in our view a strong

case for trying to formulate certain broad

agreed guide lines. We should not, I feel,

try to incorporate these in the existing

statement see course (b) above

www.

which, as

We

I have said, wąs drafted principally with

bilateral trade negotiations in mind.

would probably encounter difficulties, for example, in rephrasing paragraph 5(a) to

cover the differing multilateral and

bilateral situations.

My inclination is to try our hand at a

separate set of agreed guide lines, as at (

above. Clumsy perhaps, but less fraught

with difficulty.

It is of interest in this

connection that at the conclusion of our

discussions the Governor expressed a willing-

ness to consider excluding the GATT and other

international organisations from the scope of

the present draft.

I have set out these tentative thoughts

at some length, but in my view it would be

more fruitful to have a further meeting

than to continue our exchanges in

correspondence.

If you agree I should be

glad to arrange a meeting.

I am sending a copy of this letter and

enclosure to Carey (Ministry of Technology).