TNAG-0240-FCO40-276-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-generalised-tariffs-preferences--1970 — Page 190

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3. IN ANY CASE SINCE THE ADMINISTRATION'S UNWILLINGNESS TO INCLUDE HONG KONG IS NOT PRIMARILY BASED ON THEIR COMMERCIAL FEARS OR CALCULATIONS, BUT IS MAINLY POLITICAL, STEMMING FROM THEIR BELIEF THAT HONG KONG'S INCLUSION WOULD MULTIPLY THE ALREADY GREAT DIFFICULTIES OF SELLING PREFERENCES TO CONGRESS, WE MUST CONTINUE TO TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY OF TRYING TO CONVINCE THEM THAT THE POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES OF EXCLUDING HONG KONG WOULD BE EVEN MORE

UNDESIRABLE.

WE SUGGEST THAT A SUITABLE OPPORTUNITY OF STRESSING THE ADVERSE POLITICAL EFFECTS OF EXCLUSION ON HONG KONG AND THE REGION WILL BE PRESENTED BY THE VISIT OF MARSHALL GREEN, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF

HE WILL BE STATE FOR FAR ASIAN AFFAIRS, TO LONDON 11 NOVEMBER, ACCOMPANIED BY JENKINS, COUNTRY DIRECTOR FOR ASIAN COMMUNIST AFFAIRS WHOSE RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE HONG KONG. WE HAVE BEEN PROMISED

THAT THE PREFERICES QUESTION WILL BE INCLUDED IN HIS BRIEFS AND CAY

RELY ON THIER BEING FAVOURABLY SLANTED.

F.C.O. PASS HONG KONG UKMIS GENEVA UKDEL BRUSSELS AND TOKYO.

MR. FREEMAN

GRS 483

SENT: 22222/05 NOV AA

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