TNAG-0626-FCO40-774-Representation-of-United-Nations-Economic-and-Social-Commiss-1977 — Page 40

CONFIDENTIAL

Ministry of Overseas Development Eland House Stag Place London SW1E 5DH

J A B Stewart Esq FCO

LONDON SW1

Telephone 01-834 2377 ext

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EAP 234/77/01

20 June 1977

24/6

Dear Stewart.

ESCAP AND HONG KONG

REGATRY NO. 51 2.1JUN 1977 AKK121/563/1

2

Thank you for your letter of 20 May about the status of the Hong Kong delegation at ESCAP meetings in relation to the UK.

2. John Healey, Director of our International Economic Division, who led the UK delegation to the recent 33rd session of ESCAP had already raised this question since his return from Bangkok. In his view the Hong Kong speech, of which I am afraid we have not got a copy, was probably the strongest attack on Western protectionist policies made at the meeting. One country, in effect Canada, was singled out thue for allegedly abrogating a bilateral agreement under the MFA.

3. You are aware that as a courtesy the Hong Kong delegation gave our delegation a prior sight of the speech. As he felt the language used was rather strong Healey considered he should try to persuade the Hong Kong representative to tone it down and this the latter agreed to do. However, Healey felt that this situation might easily have caused some difficulties, and has recommended that future delegations be briefed on the constitutional position of Hong Kong on trade matters and the extent to which the UK delegation can, or ought to, go on trying to alter what the Hong Kong delegation proposes to say.

4. We are therefore very grateful for the background note which you enclosed with your letter. We shall, of course, check with your Department when preparing briefing for next year's meeting, or any other ESCAP meeting where a similar situation might arise, to ensure that the up-to-date position is known to the delegation.

5. I am copying this letter and yours to Justin Staples in Bangkok for information.

your sincerely,

Irvine Hans

I H Harris

cc: Dr J M Healey

ODM

CONFIDENTIAL