TNAG-1551-FCO40-2115-Possible-cultural-agreement-between-Hong-Kong-and-Japan-1986 — Page 15

[SJAAEZ]

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

CONFIDENTIAL

Your Ref: SCR 11/4841/86

Our Ref: HKK 291/1

R N Peirce Esq

Deputy Political Adviser

HONG KONG

Dear Bob

21 August 1986

HKK 291/1

RECEIVE

2 6 AUG 1986

DES

INDE

POSSIBLE HONG KONG/JAPAN CULTURAL AGREEMENT

1.

2.

(12

Thank you for your letter of 5 August.

The thoughts you have reflected to the Japanese Consulate General seem to us to be on the right lines. On the points in para 8 of your letter, we have consulted Paul Fifoot, our Legal Adviser. He suggests that we might aim to call whatever ultimate arrangement we make with the Japanese a memorandum of understanding rather than an agreement, since the former, being not legally binding, would not require either an entrustment or credentials. If however (as is quite possible, in view of the financial arrangements involved) the Japanese press for an agreement, then we would probably need to issue (and the Japanese would probably expect) either an entrustment or credentials in which case we assume that for several reasons (including that of recent precedent) you would prefer an entrustment.

3.

-

Whether you proceed by means of an M.O.U. or a legally binding agreement, we have no strong views on whether arrangements should be concluded by an exchange of notes or a single document endorsed by both parties This would be for you to decide.

4.

Finally, and on the assumption that your discussions with the Japanese get that far, we agree that

would be sensible to tip the Chinese off shortly' before signature.

it

CONFIDENTIAL

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