TNAG-0463-FCO40-528-Entitlement-of-Hong-Kong-to-EEC-Generalised-Scheme-of-Prefer-1974 — Page 38

CONFIDENTIAL

Foreign and Commonwealth Office London SW1

W K Prendergast Esq

British Embassy THE HAGUE

LAST

Telephone 01-

p.a

Your reference

Our reference

23

HKCK 61598/1

Date

19 July 1974

Deai Piandogert,

HONG KONG AND GSP

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NEXT

REF.

125

Thank you for your letter (6/14) of 16 July reporting the difficulties you have had in making arrangements for Dodge to call on Dutch officials to discuss the GSP discrimination against Hong Kong footwear and textiles.

2. Whilst some of the difficulties appear to have been genuine the attitude adopted by the development cooperation side of the Foreign Ministry has been disappointing and, indeed, discourteous. As you say, they should at least be prepared to listen to the arguments.

3. I am glad that you feel it possible to raise the matter at a higher level. I am sure it is right to continue to press for an interview. You might like to point out that other Member States have been prepared to see Dodge and we hope very much that the Dutch will agree to see him too.

Yours ever,

Reori srailwa

RQ Braithwaite European Integration Department (External)

cc

P Dodge Esq

British Embassy Brussels

A Stuart Esq HKIOD, FCO

CONFIDENTIAL