CODE 18-77
82 8.70
RESTRICTED
Mr Thórp, Joint Nuclear Unit
cc Mr Ritchie, HK&GD
רר
1.8.80.
Rucienos
...à,,ནོ
R&R to me
HKK 166/1
K1661
1 AUG 1990
86.8
INDEX
Мо
TRANSFER OF THORIUM FROM FRANCE TO HONG KONG
1.
Our ratification of the Non-Proliferation Treaty applied also to Hong Kong: see the footnote at page 79 of Treaty Series No.88(1970) which is attached. I do not think that those of our colonies which are bound by the NPT as a result of our ratification are to be regarded as in their own right separate parties to the NPT. Their participation in the Treaty is under the umbrella of the UK, and I think they must be regarded as sharing in our classification as a "nuclear-weapon State Party to the Treaty". Accordingly, I do not think it would be right to regard Hong Kong as a Non-Nuclear Weapon State.
2.
On the other question which you put to me, about the need for undertakings and assurances where trigger-list items are used for purely industrial purposes, I mentioned to you that the nuclear suppliers guidelines (NSG) apply" to nuclear transfers to any non-nuclear weapon State for Peaceful Purposes This does not distinguish between industrial and other purposes. You said that from a purely practical point of view such a conclusion had considerable disadvantages, and we agreed that if that was indeed so, it may well be that various practical arrangements have been made to overcome them a matter about which it might be appropriate to ask the Department of Energy, or possibly the IAEA.
31 July 1980
Avalls
A D Watts
Legal Counsellor
RESTRICTED
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.