TNAG-1402-FCO40-1874-Future-of-Hong-Kong-continued-participation-in-the-General-A-1985 — Page 183

CONFIDENTIAL

THA GATT SECRETARIAT ARGUES THAT AFTER THE UK HAS MADE ITS DECLARATION WE WILL NOT POSSESS THE POWER TO DECIDE FOR HONG KONG. THIS DECISION WILL THEN LIE WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE AUTONOMY WHICH THE UK WILL HAVE DECLARED HONG KONG TO POSSESS.

4. WE SUGGEST THAT THERE ARE RISKS IN DRAWING DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN DEPENDENCIES PROCEEDING TO INDEPENDENCE AND HONG KONG.

WE AGREE THAT OUR FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVE IS TO AVOID QUERIES OR CHALLENGE (T.U.R., PARA 3) AND THEREFORE BELIEVE WE SHOULD FOLLOW AS CLOSELY AS POSSIBLE THE PROCEDURE NORMALLY EMPLOYED.

TELESCOPING THE TIME-SCALE IS INTENDED TO MINIMIZE THE

OPPORTUNITY FOR RAISING QUERIES.

5. HONG KONG OFFICE HAVE BEEN CONSULTED.

WARBURTON

LIMITED

HKD

FED ECD (E) PS

PS/MR LUCE

MR WILSON

COPIES TO:

HKGO LONDON

MR FIFOOT LEGAL ADVISERS

MISS WILMSHURST LEGAL ADVISERS

MR PRYOR ITP/DTI

MR HEARD C & E

DTI VICTORIA STREET

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CONFIDENTIAL