TNAG-0436-FCO40-501-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-international-organisations-1973 — Page 39

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Associated States have so far refused to accept such a mission

on the grounds that it would derogate from their self-governing

status.

26.

Mr Richard recommends that we should try to persuade the

Chairman to hold only a brief debate or none at all on the

Associated States, but add that we are willing to take part

in any discussions. The second part of this recommendation

seems tactically unwise. To undertake to participate would

hardly encourage the Chairman to limit debate. We would have

departed from our position of principle without gaining any advan-

tage, and we would be likely to offend the governments of

the Associated States. I recommend therefore that we should

maintain our present policies, and agree to participate in the Committee debates on the Associated States only if the Chairman

is prepared to suggest to the Committee a viable proposal for

removing the Associated States from its scope. If it is

eventually decided to participate it would be necessary to con-

sult the Governments of the Associated States before committing

ourselves to the Committee.

27. On visiting missions to the Associated States Mr Richard

recommends that we should not give the Committee any encourage-

ment to think we or the local governments would agree to accept

a mission, unless we could thereby be confident of disposing

of the problem. I recommend that we should agree.

28. As regards Brunei, Mr Richard recommends that we should

continue to insist that it is not a territory which the Committee

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/is competent

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