TNAG-0341-FCO40-377-Effects-on-Hong-Kong-of-long-term-policy-for-textiles-in-int-1972 — Page 75

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In support of this view, I read out an extract from a

letter written by the Counsellor for Hong Kong Affairs

in Geneva (dated 21st March 1972). Both F.C.0. and D.T.I.

officials confirmed that there was substance in these

worries. One F.C.O. official (Burns) commented, however,

that Hong Kong representation in Geneva would still have

a valuable monitoring function in such circumstances,

because the representatives there of the Member States

would have to decide tactics for meetings of the G.A.T.T./

C.T.C., whatever policy line had been laid down for them

in Brussels.

48.

I then went on to suggest that thought must be

given to how, in these circumstances, the Hong Kong viewpoint

could be expressed in G.A.T.T./C.T.C. forums if the E.E.C.

line were to be, in the Hong Kong Government's view,

contrary to Hong Kong's interests.

I recognised that

Hong Kong's viewpoint would be put forward by the U.K. in

Brussels but, if it was not accepted, I considered that,

as a major exporter of manufactures, our viewpoint ought

to be made clear in international forums and that, whatever

the doctrinal difficulties foreseen, some way ought to be

found whereby Hong Kong representatives could be given

enhanced status and greater freedom of action than at present.

I thought this could be done, depending on the juridical

position, either by way of a declaration under

Article XXVI(5)(c), or de facto (c.f. Hong Kong in the

C.T.C. over the past ten years). I fully recognised that

the problems associated with a de facto extension of

Hong Kong's freedom of action must be examined in terms of,

/first,

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