CONFIDENTIAL
UNCTAD Preferences
130
The chances of Hong Kong's inclusion within the schemes of the major donors never very good seem to have improved
in recent months. We can claim some credit with Hong Kong that this is due in part at least to strenuous efforts which we have made on their behalf through our Missions in Washington, Brussels and in Tokyo and which r. Rippon personally has made in discussions wich representatives of Community Governments and the Commission. It can also be emphasised that we intend
This was
to continue to press the Six, at the negotiating table and in the separate discussion on UNCTAD preferences, to include Hong Kong. They have not yet reached any final decision either way but have indicated hat they are thinking of including Hong Kong subject to certain reservations. the gist of a conversation at the beginning of November between Sir C. O'Neill and the Chairman of the Six at deputy level. Mr. Dahrendorf is reported to have said in his recent visit to Hong Kong (Hong Kong telegram number 791) that they are anxious to find any practicable solution and that he believed that it must be found through some adaptation of their preferences scheme.
14. The Governor has indicated some reservations about this line, arguing that it might be better to keep separate the two concepts of Hong Kong's inclusion in their UNCTAD scheme and a long term solution for Hong Kong in the entry negotiations. His officials should be invited to explain why the Governor has these reservations. It will be necessary to explain our reasons for not attempting to keep the two issues separate and for pressing ahead with Hong Kong's case.
15. The primary reason for this, with which Hong Kong should agree, is that the decision taken by the BBC on Hong Kong in relation to their UNCTAD scheme is crucial in the decision still to be taken by the United States and by other donor countries, If Hong Kong were finally excluded by the Six, the other donors would undoubtedly follow and there would be
no hope either in the entry negotiations or elsewhere of securing even her partial inclusion. The basic factor is that Hong Kong's trade with the United States is far more
/important
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.