TNAG-0640-FCO40-788-Visits-of-nuclear-powered-merchant-ships-to-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 5

Lord Goronwy Roberts

cc: Mr Cortazzi

HKGD

CONFIDENTIAL

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VISIT OF THE "OTTO HAHN" TO HONG KONG

1.

I think Lord Goronw-Roberts would wish to be aware of what is going on about granting permission for the German nuclear powered merchant ship Otto Hahn" to visit Hong Kong: and to approve the line in the attached two telegrams.

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2. The story is set out in simple terms in the Department's minute of 1 September. Briefly, the German Government would like this ship to visit Hong Kong in October/November this year and therefore the question arising is whether it is safe to accept such a visit. The Hong Kong Government would like the visit to take place (see attached correspondence). After an inter-departmental discussion it appears that safety matters of this sort are regulated under the 1960 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, which was extended to Hong Kong in 1965. Therefore, assuming that we too have no objection to the visit, and that Hong Kong's local legislation is up to the standards of the Convention, we

we can devolve the affair on to the Hong Kong Government.

3. I think it would be as well for a Minister to be aware of this visit, just in case there are any complaints, in the UK or Hong Kong, about the presence of a nuclear powered vessel. Mr Clinton Davis, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department of Trade, was consulted and approved the visit of the "Otto Hahn" to Southampton in October 1976, so the principle of a visit to a UK port is conceded. The DOT intend to consult a Minister about a possible visit to the Clyde. I see nothing against a visit to Hong Kong.

4. I therefore invite Lord Goronwy-Roberts to approve the two draft telegrams. Hong Kong telegram No 902 adds something of a note of urgency, though I imagine the German Consul in Hong Kong could very well handle the matter even if the Economic Consul is absent.

DF Murray

6 September 1977

Laque la

Goronwy - Roberts

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CONFIDENTIAL