TNAG-1153-FCO40-1433-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-international-organisations-1982 — Page 38

and say that if any should occur they would do their best to ensure that the matter was handled sympathetically.

As for the wider question of the formal grant of privileges and immunities to international organisations, this is covered in Hong Kong by the International Organisations and Diplomatic Privileges Ordinance - Cap 190. As Lord MacLehose stated in his letter to you dated 8 January 1981, these (in practice, not very extensive) privileges may be extended only to those international organisations of which Hong Kong or the United Kingdom is a member. Since this does not at present apply in the case of ICM, the granting of a special status to ICM would require legislation. It would probably be difficult to persuade the Legislative Council that this was necessary in the absence of any international agreement requiring this to be done, or of sufficient evidence that problems were being caused for ICM by its absence. Your letter of 21 May suggests the conclusion of such an agreement, but as explained above we do not believe that this is at present necessary.

I hope that these explanations will be helpful, and hope that the practical approach which the Hong Kong authorities have used in the past and intend to follow in the future will meet your needs.

Yours sincerel

Christopher Long

C W Long

b.c.c.

RD Clift Esq, HKGD, FCO

R Godfrey Esq, UND, FCO

Acting Permanent Representative

RP Margolis Esq, APA, Hong Kong

Sir John Curle, KCVO CMG, Director of Protocol, Hong Kong

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