TNAG-0633-FCO40-781-Effect-of-GATT-Multi-Fibre-Arrangement-on-Hong-Kong-negotiat-1977 — Page 47

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TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELEGRAM NUMBER 7827 OF 15 DECEMBER

COUNCIL (FOREIGN AFFAIRS) 19/27 DECEMBER 1977

MY TELS NOS 7619 AND 7620

AGENDA

1. MIFT CONTAINS THE FINAL PROVISIONAL AGENDA FOR THE FOREIGN

AFFAIRS COUNCIL ON 19/20 DECEMBER.

SCENARIO

2. THE SCENARIO SHOWS ONE MAJOR CHANGE FROM THAT AGREED LAST WEEK.

FOLLOWING A SOMERSAULT BY THE PRESIDENCY TEXTILES AND STEEL WILL NOW

RE TAKEN ON THE AFTERNOON OF MONDAY 19 AS OPPOSED TO THE AFTERNOON

OF TUESDAY 28 DECEMBER. WE EXPLAINED THAT THIS CHANGE WOULD CAUSE

CONSIDERABLE INCONVENIENCE TO UK MINISTERS AND PRESSED FOR THE ORIG-

INAL SCENARIO TO BE RESTORED BUT RECEIVED NO SUPPORT. HOWEVER WE

SUCCEEDED IN DEFEATING A PRESIDENCY ATTEMPT TO DEAL WITH TEXTILES

AND STEEL AT THE SAME TIME IN DIFFERENT ROOMS.

EEC/JAPAN

3. AT MY REQUEST THE COMMISSION WILL REPORT UNDER OTHER BUSINESS ON

TOMORROW'S MEETING BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMISSION AND

MR USHIBA.

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