TNAG-1664-FCO40-2313-Hong-Kong-telecommunications-1987 — Page 7

CODE 18-77

RESTRICTED

Reference..

191/1

IOB/L/44

OSB/0/154

To

Mr M Goddard

R 1

From

John Mills

TP 2

V 510 Ext 4200

3 June 1987

CC

Mr Strike, TP 2

Mr Gwinnell, TP 2

Mr Corbett, ESSD/FCO

Mr Hill, HKD/FCO

Rorpse

FSS ALLOTMENT PLAN: DEPENDENT TERRITORIES' REQUIREMENTS

1

and

I have seen the papers on this with considerable interest, I am glad to see that R Division is concerned to persuade Hong Kong to bid for an orbital requirement. My particular interest in Hong Kong is that next year we shall have to begin negotiations with China reference Hong Kong's position in INTELSAT post-1997. This is of much potential commercial significance. I just have a sense that the UK bidding at the WARC-ORB (2) for an allotment for Hong Kong will be important in this context (a) in relation to the Chinese negotiations and (b) (more important, probably) in helping to ensure that post 1997 Hong Kong remains a strong independent telecoms entity in its own right.

I

2 If you have trouble persuading Hong Kong about this I am sure that these more strategic arguments could be brought to bear without too much difficulty. My guess is, though, that they would need to be aired with the Secretariat rather than the Post Office. suspect, equally, that Cable & Wireless here in London, at senior level, would not take much persuading of the possible advantages. There does not appear to be any obvious downside.

3

I would be grateful to be kept in the picture.

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John Mills

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