TNAG-1022-FCO40-1272-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-United-Nations-1981 — Page 100

regional intergovernmental organisations like the OAU

or the League of Arab States recognising, as NLMS, terrorist

groups outside their region. It is not inconceivable, for

example, that the Libyans might be able to persuade the League of Arab States to accord such recognition to a terrorist group to whom they are, or have been, supplying arms, eg the PIRA.

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5. In addition to according observer status to representatives of NLMS by the inclusion of those formulae in resolutions and Rules of Procedure relating to specific meetings and conferences, there are also 'standing invitations' which permit permanent participation as observers to various groups

of NLMS. The principal ones are contained in Resolution

3237 (XXIX) which relates to the PLO and Resolution 3280 (XXIX)

- which relates to NLMS recognised by the OAU. The latter Resolution only accords observer status but omits the wording 'in its region' from the operative paragraph dealing with recognition. These blanket invitations will normally be referred to by such wording as 'Representatives designated

by organisations that have received a standing invitation from

the General Assembly to participate in the sessions and work

of all international conferences convened under the

auspices of the General Assembly'.

6.

The Rules of Procedure of some UN organs are (perhaps deliberately) ambiguous and imprecise on the question of

observer status for NLMs. ECOSOC's Rules of Procedure, for

example, state that the Council *

may invite any NLM

recognised by or in accordance with the resolutions of the

General Assembly

Although the rules goes on to say that

.

•

•

•

NLMS do not have the right to vote it is not precise in

according them merely observer status.

PROPOSALS FOR NATIONAL LIBERATION MOVEMENTS TO

SIGN, ACCEDE TO OR RATIFY TREATIES

7.

Proposals that national liberation movements (NLMs) should become 'party' to treaties under consideration in international fora are becoming increasingly commonplace, regardless of whether or not the subject matter is of direct

concern to NLMs.

8. We have an important interest in preserving the distinction between states and non-states in international organisations

MUIDEN JAL

/and