TNAG-0511-FCO40-576-Visits-of-ships-from-Soviet-Union-to-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 8

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3. I know that the groups-of-5 requirement (sub-paragraph (ii) above) is of fairly long standing (since at least July 1972). The last reference I can trace on the question of ships' complements is that the Hong Kong authorities were pursuing with the Fesco Line Agency Ltd instructions issued earlier (in 1973) requiring Soviet ships undergoing repair to be kept to a normal complement of about 50% of a full crew. I understand Fesco told you that, under Soviet safety regulations, the number of crew members could not be reduced by more than 25%. Perhaps you could bring me up to date on this particular question and let me have further information on the other points mentioned above.

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D K Timms

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.

Fire A

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Mr Lever (EESD W 103)

Reference..... HKK 2.1/4.

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Fine. Many Banks.

далага

18%

REPAIRS TO SOVIET VESSELS IN HONG KONG

1.

We discussed Hong Kong telegram no 1139 on the

telephone.

2.

I explained that the telegram covers two different issues: the complaint by the Soviet Consul in London about restrictions imposed on Soviet seamen in Hong Kong and the recent tabling in IMCO of a draft Convention on

心 the Regime of Vessels in Foreign Ports. While the letter promised by Hong Kong on the latter issue may also contain comments on the former, we cannot be sure of this and do not know when the letter is likely to get here anyhow. In these circumstances, I think we should write to Hong Kong now to see if they can offer further material on Mr Kudryavtsev's complaint.

3.

RES

I attach a draft. FüR DERFUL

(25)

15 November 1974

FOR

curanmer.

까?

DK Timms

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept K 247 MA 171

Mr. Times - H.K.1.0.). (again)

Duft

lett

し

илия

DAT

1814

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D.

GRS 150

PRIORITY

CHER CAT/A

FM HONG KONG 140945Z

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RECEIVED IN

REGISTRY No.52

14NOV 1974

HKK 21/4

AO OI do1

TO PRIORITY F C O TELEGRAM NUMBER 1139 OF 14 NOVEMBER. 1974

FROM POLITICAL ADVISER.

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27/26

YOUR TELEGRAM NUMBER 976: REPAIRS TO SOVIET VESSELS.

AUTHORITIES HERE SEE NO REASON FOR CHANGING POLICY ON THIS ISSUE AT PRESENT AND SUGGEST YOU TAKE THE LINE THAT THIS IS A MATTER WHICH FALLS WITHIN THE COMPETENCE OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WHO CAN HOLD OUT LITTLE HOPE OF EASING PRESENT

RESTRICTIONS.

2. FOR YOUR BACKGROUND INFORMATION, THE SOVIET CONSUL'S COMPLAINT TO E ES D COINCIDED WITH AN INCREASE IN BREACHES OF THE RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON SOVIET SAILORS VISITING HONG KONG. IF ACTION HAS TO BE TAKEN AGAINST SOVIET SAILORS FOUND IN BREACH OF THESE REGULATIONS IN FUTURE, WE WILL KEEP YOU

INFORMED.

3. AS REGARDS RUSSIAN DRAFT CONVENTION ON REGIME OF MARINE WE VESSELS IN FOREIGN PORTS (YOUR LETTER OF 12 SEPTEMBER), CAN CONFIRM THAT THERE WOULD BE STRONG OBJECTIONS TO ITS IMPLEMENTATION HERE. DETAILED COMMENTS WILL FOLLOW.

MACLEHOSE

FILES

HRIOD (4)

EES

PUS D

M TO

SIR J. KILLICK

SIR G ARTHUR

SIR 3 MAITLAND

D

MR

WILTON

SIR.D.WATSON

MR WILFORD

MR MALE

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