TNAG-0436-FCO40-501-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-international-organisations-1973 — Page 69

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of 24 resolutions have maintained that only those

arguments for the right to make such a decision,

but we have never accepted this.

25. Since the Associated States achieved full

self-government in 1767

we have taken

the position that they no longer fall under Chapter

XI of the Charter and that therefore the General

Assembly and Committee of 24 no longer had the

right to treat them as non-self-governing

territories.

We have stopped transmitting informa-

tion on the Associated States under Article 73E

and have declined to participate in debates (other

than to explain the constitutional position or

to be present during voting on any resolutions.

In taking this stand, we have acted in accordance

not only with our view of the merits of the situation, but also with the suddenly held wishes of

the governments of these territories. The

achievement of self-government is not yet accepted

by the Committee of 24, although most members realise

the illogicality of their position and no longer

treat the matter as a contentious issue. The

Chairman of the Committee claims in private that

he wishes to remove the Associated States from

its scope, but that a visiting mission would be

a necessary first step. The governments of the

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

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/or none

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