TNAG-1153-FCO40-1433-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-international-organisations-1982 — Page 20

Mr Edgar HK&GD

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UK SEAT ON THE WESTERN PACIFIC REGIONAL COMMITTEE

1. Please see Mr Philipps' minute to me of 20 September.

2.

I do not think (paragraph 4 of Mr Philipps' minute under reference) that we should go back to Hong Kong, nor for that matter to ODA, at least until we clear our own minds first. In any event, given that this year's Regional Committee meeting in Manila (20-24 September) is already under way, I see no opportunity for voicing our concerns until the wash- up discussions on the composition of the UK delegation begin in, say, two months' time.

3.

alt cached

Dr

I would hope, in any case, that we would not have too many objections to anything that ODA might propose. Field's minute of 20 July (copy attached for ease of reference) does point out that ODA have very real problems over staffing. If I may

trespass on your territory, we must also be careful not to do anything to offend or embarrass Hong Kong, particularly since we are looking to them to provide the UK delegation for this seat in the future. My own feeling is that the presence of a British Embassy official (paragraph 6 of Dr Field's minute under reference) would probably meet Mr Philipps' concern over Brunei.

4. I should, however, be grateful for your and Mr Philipps' comments on all this. I should also be grateful if Mr Philipps would kindly check with his colleague to see whether Manila has already been brought fully into the picture (paragraph 3 of my minute to him of 6 September).

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21 September 1982

Cc:

Mr Philipps

SEAD

Geraldine Tucker

Mrs G Tucker

United Nations Department

K 143

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