TNAG-1151-FCO40-1431-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-United-Nations-1983 — Page 11

DSR 11C

It may not be generally known that the draft resolution

had, in its original form, contained language far more

favourable to Argentina, which was deleted from the

version put to the vote under the pressure of opinion

from delegations from many parts of the world. Given

its origin as an Argentine proposal, the draft still

of course failed to reflect the principle of self-

determination, or refer to the wishes of the Islanders

or the obligations of the administering power under

Article 73 and these omissions will have been a major

factor influencing so many of our friends in Europe,

the Commonwealth and elsewhere to refrain from supporting

the much diluted version that was voted on despite the

natural tendency of delegations at the United Nations

to vote in favour of negotiations whatever the circumstance

10. My honourable Friend is right to urge that we

should continue to lay emphasis on the relevance of

key principles and articles of the United Nations

Charter to our administration of our dependent

territories and on the continuity of British policy

based on the Charter.

We shall be glad to do so.