TNAG-0466-FCO40-531-Hong-Kong-s-interests-in-EEC-capitals-1974 — Page 91

CONFIDENT AL

香港總督府

Des Duncan, Диса

(29)

GOVERNMENT HOU

HONG KONG

10th May 1974

RECEIVED IN

REGISTRY NO F

21 MAY 192

LAST

REF

NEXT

REF

31

48A

HKK 4/598/2

We have been thinking again about

Hong Kong representation in the EEC, partly because of the enlargement of the Community but more because our principal overseas trade relations problems in the next few years are likely to arise from our relations with the EEC.

2.

Hong Kong's interests have been stoutly defended by Britain operating within the Community. Never the less we feel that we cannot reasonably expect Britain to go on doing this unless we do everything we can ourselves. I think it is up to us to do as much of the spade work as possible on issues affecting Hong Kong before they actually come to the negotiating table, and in particular the work of briefing or persuading member governments and the Commission about them. Both the Commission and member countries seem to accept this and I believe the UK Representative approves.

3.

-

In reconsidering what we have done and in the light of informal advice taken in Brussels and London, we think we might do better in two ways. Firstly we have rather neglected the Member States our man in Brussels has dealt mainly with the Commission - and we have taken to heart Sir Thomas Brime low's suggestion that we should do more to put the Hong Kong case directly to the Member States.

But we do not think we can do more without another man.

4.

Secondly we feel we have failed to make

contact and impact at a sufficiently high level either in Brussels or in the capitals of members, and that we should try to rectify this if we are to correct some of the misconceptions about Hong Kong that often prove so damaging. Dodge has done his best at his level and within his capability, but we think we need in addition a more senior, authoritative and more forceful man.

5.

If you agree that the time has come to raise the calibre of our representation, the question

Sir Duncan Watson, KCMG