TNAG-1306-FCO40-1663-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 101

CODE 18-77

Com

ратель R25) Govenar 13/1

икколо

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

1 1 JAN 1984

Reference

FROM: S Rocyn-Jones (Miss)

American Section

Research Department

DATE: 6 January 1984

CC:

Mr Walker,

Research Department

all

Mr Morris

DES- OFFICER

INDEX

PA

RECISTRY

Action Taken

Hong Kong Dept

PUERTO RICAN CONSTITUTION

CH11811

1.

The US section's files do not add much to the description of Puerto Rico's Constitution in the Caribbean Year Book.

2. As the US is responsible for foreign affairs and defence Puerto Rico does not have diplomatic or consular offices abroad. Puerto Ricans do not pay Federal income taxes except on income derived outside the Commonwealth. They pay some Federal taxes such as exeise taxes on merchandise purchased in the continental US and social security taxes.

3. Except in the matter of taxes the US Federal government has the same authority in Puerto Rico as it does in the States of the Union, maintaining many federal offices and services on the island. Puerto Rico uses the Federal postal and currency systems.

4. Puerto Rico applies US customs rates and is not free to arrange eg. bilateral oil deals. Puerto Rico cannot regulate immigration outside US laws eg. to keep down the number of Cuban refugees.

5. Puerto Ricans are liable to service in the US armed forces. The US has a military base in Puerto Rico.

See (12)

6. The US Congress decides whether Puerto Rico should be exempt from the application of new federal laws. The delimitation between US and Puerto Rican powers is not always clear cut and is open to interpretation.

7. The US negotiates on international economic affairs eg. GATT and commodity agreements. Puerto Rico has a Trade Advisory Office in Washington and a Puerto Rican advisor habitually accompanies the US delegation.

5 Rorya-Jones

S Rocyn-Jones (Miss)

10