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CONFIDENTIALTOP COPY
CONFIDENTIAL
FM UKMIS GENEVA
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 179
OF 161527Z APRIL 1986
INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG, PEKING
YOUR TELNO 301: HONG KONG AND GATT: PUBLICITY
1. WE UNDERSTAND THE POLITICAL NEED TO PUBLICISE THE DECLARATIONS,
BUT IT SHOULD BE BORNED IN MIND THAT IN THE INTERESTS OF SECURING
ACQUIESCENCE FROM OTHER CPS, WE HAVE BEEN EMPHASISING THE ROUTINE
CHARACTER OF THE ARTICLE XXVI 5 (C) DECLARATION AND THE FACT THAT WE
WANT HONG KONG'S CHANGE OF STATUS TO PROCEED WITH A MINIMUM FUSS IN
GATT. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT SUCH PUBLICITY AS IS DEEMED NECESSARY
SHOULD BE COMPATIBLE WITH THIS OBJECTIVE.
2.
IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE AND A DISCOURTESY TO OTHER CPS TO
RELEASE THE TEXTS OF THE DECLARATIONS TO THE PRESS BEFORE THE IR
CIRCULATION AS CATT DOCUMENTS (HONG KONG TELNO 1120 REFERS). HOWEVER, WE HAVE ARRANGED WITH LINDEN (GATT LEGAL ADVISER) THAT THE SECRETARIAT WILL BE READY TO GIVE THE TEXTS FORMAL CIRCULATION THE
DAY AFTER THE DECLARATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE.
3. WE ARE CONTENT WITH THE DRAFT STATEMENT IN HONG KONG .TELNO 21
WITH ONE EXCEPTION. PARAGRAPH 2 AS DRAFTED IMPLIES THAT HONG KONG
WILL BE TREATED ON A PAR WITH CONTRACTING PARTIES (CPS) BUT WILL NOT
IN FACT ENJOY CP STATUS. THE SECOND SENTENCE SHOULD BE AMENDED TO
READ: THIS MEANS THAT HONG KONG WILL HENCEFORTH ASSUME THE RIGHTS
AND OBLIGATIONS OF A CONTRACTING PARTY TO THE GATT IN ITS OWN
RIGHT''.
COMPLETELY.
1
AS AN ALTERNATIVE, THE SECOND SENTENCE COULD BE OMITTED
SANKEY
HONG KONG AGREEMENT: RESTRICTED
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
COPIES TO:
MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS MR WOOD LEGAL ADVISERS
RESEARCH D (FE)
DEP/HD PUSD
PS/MR RENTON MR WILSON
HRRIQ!!
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
CONFIDENTIAL
17 APR 1986
DEEK OREOS:
PA
AB
ט
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