TNAG-0780-FCO40-984-Involvement-of-Hong-Kong-in-air-services-agreements-1978 — Page 140

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if we postponed a further meeting until after the

Australians had approached third countries: the

agreed record says simply that there are to be talks

as soon as possible". Our own bargaining position,

given that we are the crucial element in the Australian

proposals, is strong enough to enable us to protect

our position whenever the talks take place. On the

other hand, I am concerned at the risk that a further

round of talks now would give the impression to third

countries that we were already committed in principle

and that we were ganging up against them. I accept

that the Australians will be disappointed not to have

further talks immediately, but if this issue is mis-

handled it will have bad effects on our relations with

a large number of countries, including Australia, going

much wider than air services.

4. I therefore propose that, in handing over the

proposed message, the High Commission in Canberra should

tell the Australians that we look forward to meeting them

as soon as they are able to report on their discussions

with third countries.

5. At the same time as the message is delivered in

Canberra, I propose that our Posts in certain mid-point

countries (India, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and

Indonesia) should be instructed to explain that we are

not yet committed to the Australians' ideas and that they

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/would