TNAG-1022-FCO40-1272-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-United-Nations-1981 — Page 71

CONFIDENTIAL

THE CONFERENCE ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE (CSCE)

1.

The Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) was signed in Helsinki on 1 August 1975 by

•

Basket I

the Heads of State or Government of the 35 participating States. It does not have legal force, and is not recognised at the United Nations as a treaty, but reflects clear political and moral commitments on the part of the signatories. It is a carefully balanced document whose provisions are divided into three main sections known as 'Baskets'. contains a Declaration of Principles and texts on military

Basket II deals with economic, confidence building measures. commercial, environmental, scientific, technological and industrial cooperation. Basket 111 is designed to promote the freer movement of people, ideas and information in

Europe.

2. As prescribed in the Final Act, a follow-up meeting took

The place in Belgrade from 4 October 1977 to 9 March 1978. UK's main objectives were to review thoroughly the implementation performance of all signatory States, to get all participating States to reaffirm their commitment to full implementation of the Final Act, and to obtain agreement on specific practical proposals designed to inject new life into the CSCE process. 3. It proved impossible to achieve consensus on a concluding document of real substance at Belgrade, as the Soviet Union and their Allies took a negative and unconstructive line. concluding document eventually agreed was a considerable disappointment for the UK as it did not reflect adequately the detailed review of implementation which took place or the

But while an opportunity for progress new proposals put forward.

was missed at Belgrade, the authority of the Final Act was reaffirmed and the CSCE process remains in being, with a

The

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CONFIDENTIAL

/further