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came circumstancea. In this event it would surely be suffi- cient for Hong Kong to point to the "bench-mark" which she hac established in these procedènts, and point out the dirtence beparating them from the general United States position.___
10. A draft telegram to Hong Kong is attached, giving, the. outline of the advice which we might offer on the foregoing basis.
U.K. Participation
11.
If the advice which we are offering is on the foregoing linos, the question arises whether a United Kingdon prosence at Hong Kong during the Stans' visit is desirable. The line which we wish Hong Kong to take is in the same direction as the line which she is evidently already inclined to take, but 1t appears to be the case that we would not happily leave Hong Kong entirely to her own devices.
Arguments for U.K. Participation
12. These are principally:
(a) The presence of a U.K. representative would give moral support to Hong Kong, demonstrating that she was not negotiating single handed against the United States, and underlining Her Majesty's Government's overall responsibility.
(b) The presence of a U.K. representative would encourage Hong Kong to take a stiffer line, which is what we Want them to do.
(c) We have a strong interest in having as full a
record as possible of what passes between the United States
and Hong Kong on an issue of this kind.
}
Arguments against U.K. Participation
13. These are principally:
(a) The Hong Kong representatives might feel that their authority was in question if a United Kingđòm represen- tative were present at the talks. Although the fact is that Hong Kong has no independent authority in the commercial field we have our reasons for wanting to make it appear that Hong Kong has acquired de facto Q.A.T.T. rights.
/(b)
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