TNAG-0386-FCO40-432-Exports-of-non-cotton-textiles-from-Hong-Kong-to-the-EEC-1973 — Page 165

CONFIDENTIAL

BEARING IN MIND OUR SUSPICIONS OF GERMAN INTENTIONS AT PARA. 2

OVE AND FRIEDRICHS'S PRETTY PLAIN HINTS TO JORDAN IN DECEMBER THAT ONLESS HONG KONG TOOK ACTION OF ITS OWN, THE FRG MAY BE FORCED TO ACT UNILATERALLY. ASSUMING THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD AGREES WE WOULD HOLD THE DOOR OPEN TO BILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS

WHEN NOTIFYING THE GERMAN CONSUL-GENERAL OF OUR UNILATERAL ACTION. IN THE MEANTIME ALL DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN CONFINED TO OFFICIALS. IF FOR ANY REASON YOU CONSIDER WE SHOULD NOT PROCEED AS PROPOSED PLEASE TELEGRAM TO REACH US BY THE MORNING OF 1ST FEBRUARY, HONG KONG TIME, AS THERE CAN BE NO TURNING BACK ONCE THE BOARD ARE BROUGHT INTO THE PICTURE.

FCO PASS FLASHI HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON.

MACLEHOSE

[ADVANCED AS REQUESTED]

INTERNATIONAL TRADE DISTRIBUTION

HKI OD

E I D

TRD

-3-

CONFIDENTIAL

COPIES TO

HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE

6 GRAFTON ST.

1Page 166