TNAG-0148-FCO40-184-Consular-endorsements-of-certificates-of-origin-for-Italy-1969 — Page 11

RESTRICTED

HTC 18/12,

17

CYPHER/CAT A

PRIORITY UK MISSION GENEVA TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

RIORITY UK MISSION GENEVA TEL. NO. 32 TO HONG KONG 9 DECEMBER 1969. RTRICTED

[NEUTRAL]

ADDRESSED TO HONG KONG TEL NO 32 OF 9 DECEMBER REPTD FOR INFMN

TO F.C.O. AND ROME.

FROM JONES.

THE UNITED STATES HAS ASKED FOR A NEW ITEM TO BE PLACED ON AGENDA FOR GATT COUNCIL ON 16 DECEMBER, NAMELY

P

''ITALIAN ADMINISTRATIVE AND STATISTICAL FEES COMPLAINT BY..

THE U.S. CONCERNING DISCRIMINATORY APPLICATION BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ITALY IN CONTRAVENTION OF ARTICLES II(1)(B) AND VIII(1)(A)

2. THE U.S. COMPLAINT IS THAT ITALY HAS ABOLISHED THESE FEES ON

IMPORTS FROM EEC COUNTRIES ONLY. THEIR DELEGATION SAY THAT THEY HAVE RAISED THE MATTER BILATERALLY ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS BUT

HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE BRUSH OFF''.

3. THIS MIGHT BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUT FURTHER ON RECORD HONG KONG'S

COMPLAINT ABOUT ITALIAN CONSULAR FEES FOR ENDORSEMENT OF

CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN. SO FAR INFORMAL APPROACHES HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN ROME. I HAVE RAISED THE MATTER IN THE GATT INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS COMMITTEE AND A FORMAL AIDE MEMOIRE HAS.

BEEN PRESENTED, BUT ALL TO NO AVAIL.

4. IF YOU AND LONDON AGREE THAT A SHORT STATEMENT SHOULD BE MADE

IN THE GATT COUNCIL ON THIS ISSUE PLEASE SEND ME COPY OF AIDE MEMOIRE BY EXPRESS AIRMAIL.

FCO PASS HONG KONG AND ROME.

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No.51

DEC 1969

SIR E. MELVILLE

[REPEATED AS REQUESTED

THICK 6/311/1

INTERNATIONAL TRADE DISTRIBUTION:

TR.POL.D. CONS.D.

DDDDD

RESTRICTED