TNAG-1021-FCO40-1271-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-international-organisations-1981 — Page 50

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expenditures in support of programmes for Hong Kong of $1,113,800. The ICM Hong Kong Office has regional

responsibilities in the Far East. In 1980 ICM spent about 3 million US dollars on the movement of refugees and

migrants on British and Cathay Pacific Airways.

ICM's non-political character makes it unique among inter-

national organisations. While constituted to handle both national migrants and refugees, it is mt inhibited by political considerations or definitions. It is not subject to pressures from any quarter. Through quiet diplomacy, operational efficiency, and marked cost effectiveness, it has over the years been successful in assisting victims of authoritarian regimes as well as persons in need of migration assistance, and, at the same time, providing badly-needed skilled manpower to developing countries.

(c) Legal points

If Hong Kong wishes to join ICM, it may be of interest to note that Section 2 (I) of the International Organisations and Diplomatic Privileges Ordinance No 56 of 1948, as amended

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3 of 1951, 56 of 1967, 18 of 1970, 64 of 1977 (Laws of Hong Kong Cap. 190) refers to "... organisation ... of which the Government or Governments of one or more sovereign powers are members and of which the Government of Hong Kong or of

the United Kingdom is a member or an associate member ...".

No doubt the statute governing the relationship between the Crown Colony of Hong Kong and the Government of the United

Kingdom would have bearing on the matter. The ICM Constitution

does not use the word "State", but "Government", and the

Constitution does not cover "Associate Members.