TNAG-0436-FCO40-501-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-international-organisations-1973 — Page 40

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is competent to discuss, and that we should continue to absent

ourselves from the debates. Brunei has in fact never been a

non-self-governing territory in the strict sense and our

transmission of information on it under Article 73E has been

made on a voluntary basis. We terminated this transmission

of information in 1971 when the terms of the revised Anglo/

Brunei agreement removed our previous power to give formal

advice on the internal affairs of Brunei. As in the case of the

Associated States, the Committee of 24 and General Assembly

have so far declined to accept that Brunei is not a non-self-

governing territory but again without much conviction or

enthusiasm. I recommend that we accept Mr Richard's recommendation.

Sovereignty disputes (Gibraltar, Falkland Islands and Belize) (Paragraph 7(c) of letter)

29. Mr Richard recommends that we should attend debates

on these territories, but should urge the Chairman not to

discuss them or to do so only as a formality. I recommend

that we agree with these recommendations.

30. Mr Richard goes on to recommend that he should tell the

Chairman that we would only speak if absolutely necessary and

that a visiting mission to any of them would need vary careful

consideration and preparation with all the territories concerned.

This might unnecessarily give away some potentially useful

cards. In the case of Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands the

Committee will continue to support the Spanish and Argentine

claims. Moreover at present we would not in any case want to

jeopardise bilateral talks by seeking to press our case in

/the Committee

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