TNAG-0511-FCO40-576-Visits-of-ships-from-Soviet-Union-to-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 34

:

CONFIDENTIAL

Reference.....

Mr Pendleton (Marine & Transport Dept)

30/vin"

RECEIVED IN

SOVIET DRAFT CONVENTION ON THE REGIME OF MARINE VESSELS IN FOREIGN PORTS

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department received a copy through EESD of your minute of 21 August, with attach-

REGISTRY No. 5 ments, asking for comments on the Soviet draft proposals.

30 AUG 1974

HKK 21/4

12.

I do not propose to offer any comment on the provisions in general, since I think we can take it that what may be acceptable to the United Kingdom in regard to this matter would in all probability be acceptable in the main also to Hong Kong. Having said that, it seems to me nevertheless that many of the Soviet proposals are unduly restrictive of the jurisdiction and rights of coastal states (the sanctity of the Master's safe etc. under Article 5, and the requirement of prior notice of any intervention by the local authorities under Article 11 are points which spring to mind), but my personal experience of such matters is negligible and expert opinion will no doubt be provided by others.

and

3. You will know, however, from Mr Meyer's minute of 20 August, which was copied to M&TD, that the Soviet Embassy recently alleged unfair discrimination against Soviet ships and seamen on the part of the authorities in Hong Kong. The Soviets has been using the port on a growing scale for ship repairs and other facilities, this is of course welcome for the income which it provides to firms in Hong Kong. Nevertheless, we may quite possibly wish to continue the control over Soviet ships and crews in Hong Kong also in the future. however, the Soviet draft were otherwise considered worth supporting, I see no reason why the special requirements in Hong Kong need prevent us from doing so, since we could presumably always, in case of need, withhold agreement for the extension to Hong Kong of any Convention which may be concluded on the basis of the Soviet proposals.

If,

30 August 1974

cc:

Mr Witney (EESD)

J K Hanna

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept

CONFIDENTIAL