COTE DENITAL
1616/1
as
RA
заво
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193
HKK 121
RECEIVEO TE
BY RS. 51
30 SEP 277
DESK
INDEX
PA
Foreign Secretary
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MULTIFIBRE ARRANGEMENT
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Action Taken
ips/matte
Па. Витса Mc-HieBear
MR Cezzi MR. FRETELL
MR Tremis
Mlz. Muzeny TRED
HKED
Thank you for sending me a copy of your minute of 16 September to the Prime Minister about the Commission's proposals for the MFA bilateral negotiations and particularly the quotas for Hong Kong.
There is no escaping the fact that if we are to secure our objec- tives in these negotiations the terms for Hong Kong (and the other dominant suppliers) have got to be tough. However, as you know, Commission proposals for the bilateral quotes have not yet been presented to the Member States. It may emerge that there is an element of negotiating tactics in the very low figures which the Commission team mentioned to Hong Kong.
It could be rather embarrassing if we have to plead in Brussels for more lenient treatment for Hong Kong, which is far and away the Community's largest supplier. We are already arguing that preference should be given to the poorest countries including especially India, which is the Community's sec nd largest supplier. And at the same time we are demanding much more restrictive arrange- ments for textiles. We risk being accused of mutually contradictory
objectives.
I wonder whether the Governor could be persuaded to present his
Sir Donald Maitland could then accom- own case to the Commission. pany him to see Davignon rather than speak himself on Hong Kong's behalf. For my part I will gladly find time to see the Governor should he decide to return for consultations.
I am copying this minute to other Members of EI, to Judith Hart and to Sir John Hunt.
Department of Trade 1 Victoria Street
23 September 1977
M.D.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.