TNAG-0862-FCO40-1072-Involvement-of-Hong-Kong-in-air-services-agreements-1979 — Page 61

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CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL HKK, 84/1

DESKBY 262240Z CANBERRA

TO IMMEDIATE CANBERRA

TELEGRAM NUMBER 50 OF 26 JANUARY

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AND TO IMMEDIATE SINGAPORE JAKARTA MANILA KUALA LUMPUR

HONG KONG (GOVERNOR AND BCARFE)

INFO ROUTINE WELLINGTON

See Fre

(85)

YOUR TELNOS 67 AND 68: UK/AUSTRALIA AIR SERVICES

1. PLEASE TELL THE AUSTRALIANS THAT WE HAVE NO COMMENT ON THE TERMS OF THEIR LINE, EXCEPT THAT IT WOULD BE AS WELL NOT TO MAKE SECTIONS A AND B TOO ACERBIC. ON A, THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT THAT THE ASEAN GOVERNMENTS' BELATED REACTION WAS DUE IN PART TO AUSTRALIAN FAILURE TO EXPLAIN MATTERS PROPERLY TO THEM IN GOOD TIME. ON B, A BETTER LINE MIGHT BE QUOTE BECAUSE TICKETS HAVE ALREADY BEEN SOLD UNQUOTE, ETC.

2. FOR YOUR OWN INFORMATION WE SHALL CONSIDER YOUR PARA 3 AND

TELEGRAPH SEPARATELY NEXT WEEK. THE HONEST BROKER CONSIDERATION MUST BE BALANCED AGAINST ASEAN SUSPICIONS OF A UK/AUSTRALIA LINE UP, AND OTHER FACTORS. WE WOULD WELCOME THE VIEWS OF ASEAN POSTS ON THIS POINT, DESK BY 300900Z.

3. YOU WILL NO DOUBT KEEP ROGERS (DOT) INFORMED.

OWEN FILES

MAED

SPD

SEAD

HKIGD

MISS BROWN

MR MURRAY

COPIES

MR BRYANT MR RUMBELOW

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CAIR, DOT

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